Vigilance Bureau Arrests Absconding Assistant Labor Commissioner for Rs 30,000 Bribe Demand
Chandigarh, February 20
In a significant breakthrough during its anti-corruption drive, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested Harpreet Singh, PCS , the Assistant Labor Commissioner (ALC) of Hoshiarpur, who had been absconding for three months after being implicated in a bribery case. The case came to light when Alka Sharma , a computer operator in his office, was earlier caught red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 on behalf of Harpreet Singh.
The arrest of Harpreet Singh followed his surrender before the local court after his bail application was dismissed by the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court . The Hoshiarpur court has granted the Vigilance Bureau one day of police remand for further investigation into the matter.
Case Background
The case was registered based on a complaint filed by a shop owner from Kashmiri Bazaar, Hoshiarpur , as disclosed by a spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau.
The complainant, who runs a jewellery shop, had recently renovated his establishment and received a notice from the Assistant Labor Commissioner’s office regarding alleged violations. Upon visiting the office, he was approached by Alka Sharma , the computer operator, who warned him of a substantial fine. She claimed she could help resolve the issue by negotiating with her superior, Harpreet Singh, ALC .
The complainant was later called into Harpreet Singh’s office, where the ALC explicitly demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 to dismiss the notice. The complainant, suspecting foul play, recorded the conversation related to the bribe demand and submitted it as evidence to the Vigilance Bureau.
Trap Laid and Initial Arrest
Following a preliminary verification of the complaint, the VB team laid a trap. During the operation, Alka Sharma was caught red-handed accepting the bribe of Rs 30,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. However, Harpreet Singh had already left the office before the arrest could be made, prompting the VB to intensify efforts to track him down.
A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered against both accused at the Vigilance Bureau’s Jalandhar Range Police Station . Multiple raids were conducted at various locations over the past three months to apprehend Harpreet Singh, who had been evading arrest until now
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Current Status of Accused
- Alka Sharma , the computer operator, remains in judicial custody as her bail application has been rejected by the court.
- Harpreet Singh , the absconding Assistant Labor Commissioner, was finally arrested after surrendering in court, following the dismissal of his bail plea by the High Court.
Commitment to Anti-Corruption Drive
The Vigilance Bureau reiterated its commitment to rooting out corruption within government offices. This case underscores the Bureau’s proactive approach in combating bribery and holding public officials accountable for misconduct. Further investigations are underway to ensure all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined.
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The arrest of a senior official like Harpreet Singh sends a strong message that no one is above the law, reinforcing the Punjab government’s resolve to maintain transparency and integrity in public service delivery.
