A large-scale corruption racket has been busted in Jalandhar, Punjab. Assistant Town Planner (ATP) Sukhdev Vashishtha, who is posted at the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation, was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau in a rapid operation on Wednesday afternoon. A special vigilance team from Ludhiana arrested him near the Improvement Trust office when he was on his way to the corporation office.
Reportedly, Sukhdev was operating the corruption racket with the alleged support of known journalists and politicians of Punjab. The names of the reported journalists and politicians have not been disclosed until the probe is functional to maintain confidentiality.
Sukhdev will be produced in court on Thursday, and officials are going to request his remand for interrogation. A case has been filed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, although no confirmation was made officially by Vigilance until Thursday morning.
An officer of the Vigilance Bureau revealed to Truescoop that the case has been registered and investigations are underway. Officer also stated that the names of some known politicians and journalists are suspected in connection with the case, which are yet to be revealed.
At about 6 PM on Wednesday, the Vigilance officials searched his office (Room No. 19, first floor) in the corporation complex. Officials also sought records of buildings sealed or brought down during his rule to identify likely abuse of power. The team went back to the office at about 9:15 PM.
Informants at the Municipal Corporation claim that ATP Sukhdev had a tainted image for abusing authority. He purportedly requested bribes for clearing building files and sealing premises if money was not paid. A classic case involved ₹30,000 extortion from an acquaintance of an employee to clear a building ID. On receiving a complaint formally, the arrest process was launched.
Sukhdev initially kept quiet, but when he understood the gravity of the arrest, he admitted to accepting bribes instead of not sealing buildings.
Authorities had already received the inputs that Sukhdev was in constant contact with two powerful political functionaries, who allegedly prepared a racket to compel property owners to pay up. Sukhdev would spot the newly constructed buildings, then pressurize the owners by threatening sealing operations. If the owner agreed, he would request them to get the leader to call — essentially converting the "sealing" into a racket of corruption with political support.
This bribery game! insiders say, was run from the "courts" of these two leaders — one in the active role and the other whose son allegedly ran the bribe network on the back burner.
Vigilance teams also raided Sukhdev's house in Gulmarg Avenue, Ladhewali, from where they seized
Vigilance is now retrieving Sukhdev’s call records to identify all political contacts and further unravel the network.
Meanwhile, senior officials, including the Additional Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, and DSP of Vigilance, continued questioning staff at the corporation late into the night.
Areas under ATP Sukhdev’s charge
Reportedly the political leader suspected in this bribery case was allegedly involved in another similar corruption case where, notably, the building sealed for the nefarious purpose was a Hospital. The detailed facts of the case will be revealed as the investigations run.
Stay connected with the Truscoop for more such informative updates.