BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
BAGESHWAR, 24 May: District Sainik Welfare and Rehabilitation Officer Bageshwar, Col (Retd) Subodh Shukla, on Saturday was caught red-handed by the trap team of Vigilance Establishment while accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000.
The complainant, a retired military personnel currently working in the Sainik Welfare Department through UPNL, had lodged a complaint on the Vigilance Establishment’s toll-free helpline 1064. He alleged that his employment contract, which lasts for 11 months, was being extended only on the condition of paying a bribe of Rs 50,000.
After a confidential investigation by the Vigilance Establishment Sector Haldwani confirmed the complaint, a trap team was formed. Acting as per protocol, the team arrested Shukla red-handed while receiving the bribe at the District Sainik Welfare Office, Bageshwar, in the presence of independent witnesses.
Shukla, originally from Rampur, Post Birsinghpur, Pali, Bandhigarh, District Umaria (Madhya Pradesh), is now under interrogation. A case has been registered against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Director of Vigilance Establishment, V Murugesan, has announced a cash reward for the trap team for their commendable work. In addition, an appeal has also been issued by him to the public, urging them to report any instance of bribery or disproportionate wealth acquisition by officials on helpline number 1064 or WhatsApp number 9456592300.
