VB nabs Block Officer for taking Rs 13K bribe

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Tuesday arrested George Masih, Block Officer, posted at Block Development and Panchayats Office (BDPO), Amritsar, while receiving Rs 13,000 as bribe.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the accused has been arrested following a complaint lodged by a resident of Bikraur village here.

He said the complainant had approached the VB alleging that he wanted to contest the panchayat elections from his village in the year 2024, but could not do so, as a notice declaring him a defaulter was issued to him by the Block Officer, Ajnala, stating that he had not cleared outstanding dues of government land measuring 4 kanals and an FIR would be registered against him in this regard.

As per the complaint, the accused asked him that if he wanted to get his name stuck off from the defaulters’ list and get correction in the revenue record, he would have to pay bribe of Rs 13,000.

The spokesperson said after a preliminary verification of the complaint, a team from the VB, Amritsar, laid a trap and apprehended the accused while accepting a bribe of Rs 13,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses.

A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against him at the VB police station, Amritsar Range. Further investigation into this case was under progress, said a VB official.

Amritsar