Chandigarh, January 4,
As part of its ongoing anti-corruption efforts, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Constable Sukhpreet Singh, a gunman assigned to the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in Bathinda, for allegedly extorting ₹20-25 lakh per month in bribes from transporters. A Mohali court has remanded him to four days of police custody for further investigation.
The arrest follows an online complaint filed via the Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line by Dharam Singh, a transporter from Lehra Dhurkot village near Rampura in Bathinda district.
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The complainant alleged that his trucks and tippers were being unfairly targeted with challans by Assistant Transport Officer (ATO) Ankit Kumar and Constable Sukhpreet Singh. He further stated that Sukhpreet Singh, along with a private individual named Jaggi Singh from Maur, Bathinda, demanded ₹1,800 per truck monthly as “protection money” on behalf of the ATO and others to prevent further penalties on his commercial vehicles. The complainant also provided evidence of a ₹15,000 payment made via Google Pay to a number provided by Guranjit Singh, another gunman of the ATO. Recorded conversations between the complainant and the accused were also submitted as evidence to the VB.
The VB’s inquiry corroborated the allegations, confirming that bribes were being solicited in exchange for allowing the complainant’s vehicles to operate without interference. Based on this evidence, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against Constable Sukhpreet Singh and Jaggi Singh at the VB Police Station, Flying Squad-1, Punjab, in Mohali.
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During questioning, Sukhpreet Singh confessed to demanding and accepting bribes from transporters and admitted that approximately ₹20-25 lakh was collected monthly through a network of private individuals and accomplices. He further revealed that he personally collected ₹7-8 lakh, while Guranjit Singh, the other gunman of ATO Ankit Kumar, collected ₹8-10 lakh monthly.
The VB spokesperson stated that the role of ATO Ankit Kumar, his other gunman Guranjit Singh, and other implicated individuals is currently under investigation. They have been summoned to join the investigation and will be confronted with the evidence, including Sukhpreet Singh’s confession. The VB anticipates further revelations as the investigation continues.
