Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 17 Mar: In significant action against corruption, the Vigilance Establishment, Dehradun, today arrested a junior engineer of the power department while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 80,000 from a complainant. The accused, identified as Atul Kumar, was posted as an Assistant Engineer at the 33/11 KV power house in Pathribagh, here. He had reportedly demanded the illegal gratification for facilitating an electricity connection and enhancing the sanctioned load for an apartment purchased in the name of the complainant’s wife.
According to official information, the complainant had lodged a formal complaint with the Vigilance Establishment stating that Atul Kumar was demanding Rs 80,000 in exchange for issuing the electricity connection and increasing the electrical load. Upon verifying the complaint, the vigilance team devised a plan and laid a trap to catch the accused red-handed.
Acting on the complaint, the vigilance team carried out a well-coordinated trap operation today. As per the pre-arranged plan, the accused accepted the bribe amount from the complainant, following which the team immediately apprehended him on the spot. Necessary evidence was collected at the scene, and the accused was taken into custody.
Officials of the Vigilance Establishment stated that a case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation is underway. The team is also probing whether any other officials or employees of the department were involved in the matter. It is being examined if the accused had been indulging in similar practices of illegal collection from consumers by deliberately delaying electricity-related works.
The arrest has sent shockwaves through the power department, indicating a strict stance by the authorities against corruption in Dehradun. The vigilance team has reiterated its appeal to the general public to report any instance of bribery or corruption by government officials promptly so that effective action can be taken to curb such malpractices.
