Chandigarh, 30 May (H.S.):

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) apprehended Accountant Amritpal Singh posted as Incharge Account Branch, PSPCL Division Gurdaspur, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 15,000/-.

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 resident of Islamabad district Gurdaspur.

He said that the complainant had been retired as Junior Engineer from the PSPCL department and his arrears regarding dearness allowance after retirement and arrears of pay fixation were pending with the department. In this regard, he had met Amritpal Singh, In-charge Account Branch of PSPCL Division, Gurdaspur, to get his dues.

He further informed that accused Accountant demanded a bribe Rs. 15,000/- to clear their pending dues/arrears. Complainant alleged that accused accountant was harassing him for the last 1.5 years. Complainant also recorded the entire conversation while demanding bribe.

Unwilling to pay illegal gratification, complainant approached the VB Range Amritsar. Acting on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Accountant was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 15,000/- 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 Amritsar and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH