Vigilance bureau files corruption case against PCS officer, computer operator over Rs 30,000 bribe

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing anti-corruption efforts, has filed a case against Harpreet Singh, PCS, Assistant Labor Commissioner of Hoshiarpur, and his office’s computer operator, Alka Sharma, for accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000.

Alka Sharma was caught in the act of accepting the bribe and has been placed under a 14-day judicial remand by the local court. However, Harpreet Singh, the Assistant Labor Commissioner, is currently on the run.

The case was registered following a complaint from Rohit Chauhan, a shopkeeper in Hoshiarpur's Kashmiri Bazaar. Chauhan, who owns a jewelry store, reported that after renovating his shop, he received a notice from the Assistant Labor Commissioner's office. When he visited the office, Alka Sharma, the computer operator, informed him that a hefty fine would be imposed but suggested that she could help resolve the issue by discussing it with her superior, Harpreet Singh.

According to the complaint, Sharma took the notice into Singh’s office, and soon after, Chauhan was called in. Harpreet Singh then allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 30,000 in exchange for dismissing the fine. The complainant recorded the conversation and submitted it as evidence to the Vigilance Bureau.

A team was formed after a preliminary inquiry, which included the complainant, an official shadow witness, and other witnesses. The team laid a trap, and during the operation, Alka Sharma was caught red-handed accepting the bribe. However, Harpreet Singh was not present at the time.

A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been filed against both accused at the Jalandhar Range Police Station. The Vigilance Bureau is conducting raids in an attempt to apprehend Harpreet Singh, and the investigation is ongoing.