The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) continued its steadfast efforts to combat corruption within the state, by arresting 9 government officials red handed while accepting bribes across 7 distinct entrapment cases in November. Notably, among those involved, two doctors, two power officials, and two police personnel were apprehended. Additionally, 6 criminal cases have been registered, in which 14 accused were involved.
An official spokesperson from the VB emphasized the Bureau's resolute commitment to curbing corruption among public servants and others in all sectors. Within this period, special courts have decided 7 cases filed and contested by the VB, resulting in the conviction and sentencing of 8 officials. The sentences range from 3 to 7 years of imprisonment, accompanied by fines ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,500.
Providing detailed insights into the convictions, the spokesperson highlighted specific cases adjudicated by various courts. In Ludhiana, Harkinder Singh, a Computer Operator at Seva Kendra, sentenced with 4-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000, as decreed by the Special Judge. Similarly, in Ferozpur, Major Singh, an Assistant Sub Inspector, Ferozepur city, was sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 10,000 by the Additional Sessions Judge.
In separate two court cases in Barnala, Naval Kishor, a Junior Engineer at POWERCOM, and Charanjeet Singh, an Assistant Sub Inspector at the Barnala police station, were each sentenced to 4 years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 20,000 by the Additional Sessions Judge. In another case in S.B.S Nagar, Nand Lal, a Patwari at Mehatpur, was convicted with 3-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000 by the Additional Sessions Judge.
The spokesperson further informed that the S.A.S. Nagar court pronounced sentences in two bribery cases. Ajit Singh Longia, a Naib Tehsildar from Sri Fatehgarh Sahib, sentenced with 5-year imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 5,000. Additionally, Surinderpal Singh, a Superintendent Engineer at the Punjab Mandi Board, and Labh Singh, a Superintendent at the Punjab School Education Board, were sentenced to 7 years' imprisonment and a fine of Rs. 60,500, respectively, by the Additional Sessions Judge.
He further added that the VB has filed challans related to 17 vigilance cases across various courts in November. Furthermore, 5 vigilance enquiries have been initiated to conduct thorough investigations into corruption-related cases.
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