Chandigarh, 08 October (H.S.): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) apprehended Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Hardeep Singh posted at Mining Department Nabha district Patiala, red-handed accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a Contractor resident of village Alipur Arian, district Patiala.

He stated that the complainant alleged that the accused SDO Hardeep Singh was threatening to issue challans against his overloaded tipper vehicles and demanded a bribe of Rs. 50,000/- for not taking any action.

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB Range Patiala. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which accused SDO Hardeep Singh was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 50,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Patiala and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH