Vigilance Heat on Punjab Transport Dept: 4 Held Including MVI, FIR Against 7 Officials

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has launched a major operation against corruption in the offices of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA). The action follows the exposure of a nexus involving employees of the RTA Gurdaspur, the State Institute of Automobile and Driving Skill Centre (SIADS) Mahuana and private document agents operating in the Gurdaspur district.

A corruption case has been registered against seven individuals of whom four – including a Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI) – have already been arrested.

The investigation began after a complaint was received from a resident of Pathankot. Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance Bureau initiated a detailed probe against Pratibha Sharma, a data entry operator posted in the RTA office in Gurdaspur. Based on findings from the inquiry a FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Indian Penal Code and the IT Act at the Amritsar Range Police Station of the Vigilance Bureau.

Arrested So Far:

Sukhdev Singh – Resident of village Maidowal Kalan, Gurdaspur

Amit Kumar alias Shaili – MVI and GI Driving Incharge, SIADS Centre

Jagpreet Singh – Associated with Punjab Document

Rakesh Kumar – Currently posted in Batala

Raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused: Kulbir Singh (Kulbir Document Centre), Rakesh Kumar (GMD Document Centre), and Pratibha Sharma (RTA Gurdaspur). All arrested individuals will be produced in court tomorrow. The Vigilance Bureau has confirmed that further investigation is in progress.