The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday raided Jalandhar's Regional Passport Office and arrested three officers for taking bribes to fast-track the Visa process. During the CBI raid at the Jalandhar Passport Office, Regional Passport Officer Anup Singh was arrested. Along with Anup Singh, Jalandhar's Assistant Passport Officer Hari Om and Sanjay Srivastava were also arrested. A team of CBI not only raided the Jalandhar Passport Office but also searched the premises of the arrested officers and during that Rs 20 lakh cash was also seized. The CBI officers took action based on a complaint in which it was stated that the RPO and other officers of Jalandhar Passport Office demanded a bribe to fast-track the passport and visa case. However, the ongoing corruption in the Jalandhar Regional Passport Office was first flagged by a Rajya Sabha MP. Now, the question is who is the Rajya Sabha MO who flagged corruption in the Jalandhar Passport office?
The answer is Balbir Singh Seechewal. As per reports, Rajya Sabha MP Balbir Singh Seechewal wrote a letter to India's External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar flagging corruption and bribery asked by RPO and other officers. Reportedly, in his letter to Jaishankar, Seechewal stated that he had received complaints from NRIs also about the troubles at the RPO. He said that despite central government’s clear directions over solving small issues, people were being troubled. He also mentioned a complaint given by local activist Gaurav Luthra stating that allegations in it were very serious. Not only this, but Seechewal had also urged the minister to look into the allegations and take strict action against the guilty officers and employees.
What did the CBI say on corruption at the Jalandhar Regional Passport Office?
The CBI issued a statement and reportedly informing that they registered a case against an Assistant Passport Officer, Office of Regional Passport Office, Jalandhar on a complaint. “It was alleged that the complainant had applied for fresh passports in respect of his grand-daughter and grand-son. When the complainant, allegedly, met the accused APO to check status of the said two passports, accused demanded a bribe of Rs. 25,000 for issuance of passport. It was further alleged that the accused informed the complainant that the bribe amount was accepted on the directions of RPO and another APO and the same is shared between them."
The CBI reportedly laid a trap and caught the RPO and other officers red-handed with Rs 25000 bribe.