CBI Conducts Raid At Punjab Vigilance Office In Mohali, 3 Arrested

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three individuals, including alleged middlemen, following a late-night raid at the Punjab Vigilance Bureau office in Mohali in connection with a ₹20 lakh bribery case involving senior officials of the department, officials said.The operation unfolded after the CBI registered an FIR based on a complaint filed by a Punjab State Tax Officer. The complainant alleged that Vikas Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal demanded illegal gratification of ₹20 lakh in exchange for securing the closure of a vigilance complaint registered against him in the office of the Director General (Vigilance), Punjab.

According to the CBI, the accused allegedly acted as intermediaries and claimed to have influence within the vigilance setup. Officials said they assured the complainant that his case could be resolved in return for payment, allegedly with the involvement of senior personnel, including the Reader to the DGP Vigilance.In its statement, the CBI said preliminary investigation indicated the active involvement of OP Rana, the Reader to the DG Vigilance, who allegedly assured closure of the complaint once the bribe was paid. Investigators further stated that the initial demand of ₹20 lakh was later negotiated down to ₹13 lakh along with a high-end smartphone, reportedly a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series device, intended for one of the officials involved.

Following confirmation of the alleged bribe transaction, a CBI team conducted a coordinated raid in Chandigarh, during which one associate, identified as Ankit Wadhwa, was caught red-handed while accepting ₹13 lakh and a mobile phone on behalf of the accused.Officials said Wadhwa was arrested on the spot, and further arrests followed as part of the widening investigation. The CBI has indicated that the case may involve a broader nexus between middlemen and officials within the vigilance apparatus.

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The agency is now examining financial trails, communication records, and institutional links to determine the full extent of the alleged conspiracy and identify additional individuals who may have been involved.Meanwhile, political reactions have also emerged. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar criticised the functioning of the state Vigilance Department, alleging that it has become a source of harassment for ordinary citizens. He described the situation as deeply concerning for the public trust in governance institutions.The investigation is ongoing, and more developments are expected as the CBI continues to interrogate the arrested accused and examine evidence seized during the raids.

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