Chandigarh July 1, 2025 : In line with zero tolerance policy adopted against corruption by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on Tuesday arrested George Masih, Block Officer, posted at Block Development and Panchayats Office (BDPO) Amritsar while he was receiving Rs 13000 as a bribe.

Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the state VB said the aforementioned accused has been arrested following a complaint lodged by a resident of village Bikraur, in Amritsar district.

he had not cleared outstanding dues of Government land measuring 4 Kanals.

He further added that the complainant has approached the VB. The complainant alleged that he wanted to contest Panchayat elections from his village in the year 2024. However, he could not do so. A notice declaring him a defaulter was issued to him by Block Officer Ajnala. The notice stated that he had not cleared outstanding dues of Government land measuring 4 Kanals. Additionally, it stated that an FIR would be registered against him in this regard. As per the complaint, the accused told the complainant that he must pay a bribe of Rs 13,000. This payment was necessary to remove his name from the defaulter list. It was also needed to correct the revenue record.

The spokesperson informed that after preliminary verification of this complaint, a team from VB Unit Amritsar laid a trap. They apprehended the aforesaid accused while he was accepting a bribe of Rs 13000 from the complainant. This occurred in the presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been filed. It was registered against the accused at VB police station, Amritsar range. The accused will appear before the competent court tomorrow. The investigation into this case is ongoing, he said.