Vigilance Bureau arrests Regional Transport Officer’s gunman for collecting lakhs in bribes from transporters
Chandigarh, January 4, 2025 – The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) is conducting an ongoing campaign against corruption. The police arrested Constable Sukhpreet SinghThe Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Bathinda assigned the gunman… He was collecting monthly bribes amounting to Rs 20-25 lakhs from transporters with the help of their accomplices. The Mohali court has sent him on four days police remand to the VB for further questioning.
Vigilance Bureau Arrests Bathinda ATO in Corruption Case
An official spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau disclosed the arrest. The arrest was made based on an online complaint submitted by Dharam Singh. Dharam Singh is a transporter from village Lehra Dhurkot, near Rampura in Bathinda district. The Chief Minister’s Anti-Corruption Action Line received the complaint.
The spokesperson stated that the complainant had alleged misconduct. The Assistant Transport Officer (ATO) challaned his trucks and tippers. Jaggi Singh, a private individual from Maur in Bathinda, allegedly demanded Rs 1,800 per truck as monthly “protection money.” Ankit Kumar, Assistant Transport Officer (ATO) Bathinda, and others made a request. Constable Sukhpreet Singh ensured that their commercial trucks and tippers were not penalized.
Gunman : “FIR Filed Against Constables for Soliciting Bribes in Mohali”
The said ATO had challaned his stationary vehicles. Under pressure, he already had paid Rs 15000 through Google Pay. He used the mobile phone number provided by Guranjit Singh, gunman of said ATO. TThe complainant recorded conversations with the accused and submitted them to the VB as evidence.
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The enquiry of this complaint confirmed the allegations. The accused were soliciting bribes to allow the complainant’s transport vehicles to operate without interference. The complainant’s statement and the audio evidence were crucial. An FIR has been registered against Constable Sukhpreet Singh and Jaggi Singh. This took place at the VB Police Station, Flying Squad-1, Punjab, in Mohali.
“Constable Admits to Bribery, Reveals Rs 20-25 Lakh Monthly Collection Scheme”
Upon confrontation by the VB Flying Squad team, Constable Sukhpreet Singh admitted to demanding and accepting bribes from transporters.He further revealed that private individuals and accomplices collected approximately Rs 20-25 lakhs monthly from transporters.
During interrogation, Constable Sukhpreet Singh disclosed new details.The authorities used private individuals to collect the bribes.
4oThis group included Jaggi Singh and some smaller transporters. He also revealed that ATO Ankit Kumar had another gunman, Constable Guranjit Singh.
4oConstable Guranjit Singh was collecting Rs 8-10 lakhs monthly from transporters. Sukhpreet Singh himself was collecting Rs 7-8 lakhs from the remaining transporters.
“ATO Bathinda’s Role Under Investigation, More Revelations Likely”
Investigators summoned his gunman, Guranjit Singh, and other individuals to join the probe. They will confront them with the evidence, including Sukhpreet Singh’s confessions. The spokesperson hinted at uncovering additional revelations as the investigation progresses.. They will confront the evidence, including Sukhpreet Singh’s confessions. The spokesperson hinted at uncovering additional revelations as the investigation progresses.
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