In a dramatic late-night operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has exposed a significant bribery case rocking the Punjab Vigilance Department. The raid, which unfolded at the Punjab Vigilance office in Mohali, led to the arrest of two alleged middlemen and another individual involved in a Rs 20-lakh bribery scheme. A senior official of the department, reportedly at the heart of the conspiracy, remains at large following a dramatic chase, casting a shadow over the very institution tasked with fighting corruption.

What Happened?

The CBI initiated its action after receiving a formal complaint from a Punjab State Tax Officer. This officer alleged that Vikas Goyal and his son, Raghav Goyal, had demanded an illicit payment of Rs 20 lakh. The purpose of this substantial sum was to secure the closure of a complaint that had been filed against the officer within the office of the Director General (Vigilance), Punjab. The complaint indicated that the Goyals were acting as intermediaries, reportedly leveraging their influence with high-ranking Vigilance officials to facilitate this corrupt deal.

Further investigation by the CBI quickly revealed the alleged active involvement of O.P. Rana, who serves as the Reader to the DG Vigilance, Punjab. Rana reportedly provided assurances to the complainant that his matter could be successfully settled, but only upon the payment of the illegal gratification. Preliminary findings from the investigation strongly suggest Rana's direct and active participation in the conspiracy to extort money. During the subsequent negotiations, the demanded bribe amount was reduced from the initial Rs 20 lakh to Rs 13 lakh. In addition to this cash sum, a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone was also requested, explicitly intended for Rana as part of the deal.

Acting on confirmed intelligence regarding the impending bribe exchange, a dedicated CBI team mounted a targeted raid in Chandigarh. During this operation, an associate of the accused, Ankit Wadhwa, was apprehended while he was in the process of accepting the reduced bribe of Rs 13 lakh and the demanded mobile phone on behalf of the main perpetrators. Both the bribe money and the mobile phone were successfully recovered by the CBI during the trap proceedings. However, the key accused — Raghav Goyal, Vikas Goyal, and O.P. Rana — managed to evade arrest. They reportedly fled the scene after being alerted by their personal gunmen, who were stationed to keep watch. Efforts are actively underway to locate and arrest Rana, who remains absconding.

Key Highlights

The CBI conducted a late-night raid in Mohali, leading to the arrest of two middlemen and one associate in a significant bribery case.
The case centers on a demand for Rs 20 lakh, later negotiated down to Rs 13 lakh and a mobile phone, to close a complaint against a State Tax Officer.
O.P. Rana, Reader to the DG Vigilance, is actively implicated in the conspiracy and is currently absconding following the CBI's operation.
Ankit Wadhwa was arrested in Chandigarh while accepting the Rs 13 lakh bribe amount and the high-value mobile phone on behalf of the other accused.
Searches carried out at the residential premises of the Goyals in Malout and Rana in Chandigarh resulted in the recovery of Rs 9 lakh in cash and various incriminating documents.
The CBI investigation has uncovered an exchange of "sensitive information" relating to pending vigilance matters between the absconding O.P. Rana and the Goyals.
Authorities are also scrutinizing the unusual arrangement of Punjab Police gunmen, equipped with AK-47 rifles, being assigned to protect private accused persons in this case.

Why Does This Matter?

This serious development significantly erodes public trust in the very institutions designed to uphold integrity and combat corruption. When the Punjab Vigilance Department, specifically created to act as a watchdog against malfeasance, faces such grave allegations involving its own senior personnel, it causes deep concern among ordinary citizens. People rightfully expect transparency, fairness, and unwavering honesty from government bodies. Incidents like this can leave common individuals feeling disempowered and deeply disillusioned, questioning where they can turn for impartial justice if even the anti-corruption officials are implicated in such illegal activities.

The ongoing CBI investigation, which is delving into a potential "wider conspiracy" and an "illegal gratification nexus," underscores a critical need for enhanced oversight and stringent accountability within government departments across the state. Prominent political figures, including Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar and Shiromani Akali Dal President Sukhbir Singh Badal, have vehemently condemned the situation. They have described the Vigilance Department as a "cancer" for the people of Punjab and have called for immediate, intensive investigations and strict action against everyone involved. This high-profile case serves as a stark and urgent reminder of the continuous battle against corruption and emphasizes the paramount importance of ensuring that anti-corruption bodies themselves remain untainted, effective, and beyond reproach to truly serve the public.