VB nabs PSPCL staffers for graft

Ludhiana: The Punjab vigilance bureau (VB) arrested sub-divisional officer (SDO) Mohan Lal and lineman Hardeep Singh, posted at Punjab State Power Corporation Limited(PSPCL), Focal Point Division, for accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000.A vigilance official said the SDO and lineman were arrested on the complaint of Lokesh Modi, a resident of Bittu Colony, Tajpur Road in Bhamian village.The complainant had approached the bureau and alleged that the accused visited his factory and threatened to disconnect the power connection of his unit if he failed to pay the bribe. The electricity bill of his unit was pending due to financial constraints and the PSPCL had issued disconnection orders. He alleged that both the power personnel had already taken a bribe of Rs 34,000 from the complainant in instalments through an online mobile payments application on different dates, and were demanding more money.After verifying the information, the VB unit laid a trap and caught the lineman red-handed while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000. Later, the SDO was also arrested in this case.An FIR under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code was registered at the VB police station, Ludhiana range. The accused will be produced in the competent court on Thursday.