In a major anti-corruption move, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested a Chartered Accountant (CA), Gursewak Singh, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. The bribe was allegedly collected on behalf of a Central GST (CGST) officer posted in Jalandhar, in connection with an ongoing inquiry under the CGST Act.
The arrest comes as part of the zero-tolerance policy against corruption being strictly enforced by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government. According to an official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau, the arrest was made following a complaint by a local firm owner who alleged that the CA had demanded Rs 30 lakh to influence the outcome of the CGST investigation against his company.
Bribery Trap Yields Concrete Results
After verifying the allegations during a preliminary inquiry, the VB's Flying Squad laid a trap and caught Gursewak Singh red-handed while accepting Rs 10 lakh - the first installment of the demanded bribe. The arrest was made in the presence of two independent official witnesses, ensuring transparency and legality of the operation.
The role of the concerned CGST officer, on whose behalf the bribe was allegedly being collected, is currently under investigation.
FIR Registered Under Corruption Charges
An FIR (No. 17 dated 30-05-2025) has been registered under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, along with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), at the VB Police Station, Flying Squad-1, Mohali. The accused is scheduled to be produced before a competent court, and further investigation into the matter is ongoing.
Punjab Government Reinforces Its Anti-Corruption Stand
This incident further strengthens the Bhagwant Mann government's commitment to eliminating corruption from public services and regulatory bodies. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau continues to act swiftly and decisively on credible complaints, setting a precedent for accountability and good governance.
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