Chandigarh: The Punjab Vigilance Bribery Trap took a major turn after the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies Nikhil Garg while he allegedly accepted a ₹1 lakh bribe. Officials caught him at his residence in Patiala during a planned trap operation.
According to the Vigilance Bureau, Nikhil Garg serves as the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies in Jagraon, Ludhiana district. He also holds additional charge of the Doraha office.
Complaint Triggered Vigilance Action
The operation began after the manager of a cooperative society filed a complaint with the Vigilance Bureau. The complainant alleged that Garg demanded ₹5 lakh to recommend his transfer to the Doraha Cooperative Society.
However, the complainant refused to pay the full amount. Instead, he approached the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau and shared details of the alleged bribery demand.
Complainant Recorded the Conversation
According to officials, the complainant recorded the entire conversation related to the alleged demand for a bribe. He submitted the recordings as evidence to the Vigilance Bureau.
Investigators claimed that Garg also sought money in the name of senior officials. Moreover, they alleged that he informed a senior officer after receiving the bribe amount.
Officials also stated that the accused allegedly signed the cooperative society’s proceeding book with a backdated entry after accepting the payment linked to the transfer process.
Vigilance Team Caught Officer Red-Handed
After verifying the complaint, the Vigilance Bureau planned a trap operation. Subsequently, officials caught the accused while he allegedly accepted ₹1 lakh from the complainant.
The trap took place in the presence of two official witnesses. Furthermore, the Vigilance team recovered the marked currency notes from the accused during the operation.
Case Registered Under Corruption Law
Following the Punjab Vigilance Bribery Trap arrest, the Vigilance Bureau registered a case against Nikhil Garg at the Economic Offences Wing Police Station in Ludhiana.
Authorities booked him under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Meanwhile, investigators have continued their probe to determine whether more officials were involved in the alleged bribery network.
The Punjab Vigilance Bribery Trap highlights the state’s ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Officials have reiterated that they will take strict action against anyone found involved in bribery or misuse of public office.
Key Points of the news:
- The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Assistant Registrar Nikhil Garg while allegedly accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe at his Patiala residence.
- The complainant alleged that the officer demanded ₹5 lakh to recommend his transfer to the Doraha Cooperative Society.
- The complainant secretly recorded the alleged bribery conversations and submitted them to the Vigilance Bureau.
- Vigilance officials laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed in the presence of two official witnesses. They also recovered the bribe money.
- The bureau registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and investigators have started a detailed probe into the matter.
