The arrested individuals have been identified as Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal, residents of Malout. Reports suggest they have links to local political circles.
In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through the Punjab administration, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted a late-night raid on the Punjab Vigilance Bureau office in Mohali. The operation has resulted in the arrest of three individuals, including a father-son duo.
According to reports, the CBI had been monitoring the suspects for a significant period following tips regarding a bribery deal involving Vigilance employees. The trap was executed in “filmic style” near Ambala, where the suspects were caught in the act of pursuing a bribe.
The investigation reveals that the accused initially demanded Rs 20 lakh from a government official to settle a Vigilance complaint against him. The deal was eventually struck at Rs 13 lakh, along with a high-end Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 smartphone valued at nearly Rs 1.75 lakh. The CBI has successfully recovered both the bribe money and the mobile phone during the operation.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal, residents of Malout. Reports suggest they have links to local political circles.
More significantly, the CBI has named OP Rana, the Reader to the Chief Director (DG) of the Vigilance Bureau, in the case. While Rana is currently reported to be absconding, a raid on his Chandigarh residence led to the recovery of Rs 9 lakh in cash and several incriminating documents.
The incident has provided ammunition to the opposition parties in Punjab, who have launched a scathing attack on the ruling AAP government. Congress Leader Sukhpal Khaira taunted the government, stating that the “watchmen have become the thieves.”
Whilst BJP head Sunil Jakhar issued a warning that everyone involved in such corruption would eventually be caught. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia alleged that this is just the tip of the iceberg and claimed the deal might be related to a five-star hotel dispute.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has issued a brief statement confirming that they are aware of the CBI’s arrest of a “private individual” and have pledged full cooperation with the central agency. Meanwhile, the CBI has sealed parts of the Vigilance office and is questioning staff members to determine if senior police officers, are involved in this corruption network.
Investigations are ongoing as authorities search for the absconding official, OP Rana.
