Chandigarh: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Ruhi Bala Kalia, Technical Assistant posted in the office of Food Corporation of India (FCI), Bhogpur, district Jalandhar, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by Manager of Guru Tegh Bahadur Rice Mill, Nangal Fida, Sub-Tehsil Bhogpur, district Jalandhar and complainant stated that 49,086 bags of paddy were allotted to the said rice mill for the procurement season 2025-26. Out of the allotted quantity, two consignments of 1,160 bags of rice (each consignment consisting of 580 bags) were pending for dispatch to the FCI.

Bribe Demand Linked to Clearing of Consignments

Furthermore, he informed that the aforesaid two consignments were dispatched to the FCI warehouse at Bhogpur. Thereafter, accused Ruhi Bala Kalia demanded a bribe of Rs. 25,000/- from the complainant for clearing the said consignments. The demand was made during a telephonic conversation held through the mobile phone of the complainant’s munim, Adarsh Kumar.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier also, the accused had received Rs. 50,000/- as illegal gratification from the complainant for clearing previous consignments of his firm. Apprehending rejection of his consignments, the complainant agreed under compulsion to pay the bribe. However, upon his request, the accused agreed to accept Rs. 20,000/- for clearing the pending consignments. The entire conversation regarding the demand of bribe was recorded by the complainant.

Trap Laid, Accused Arrested

Unwilling to pay the illegal gratification, he approached the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, Unit Kapurthala, and lodged a complaint. Acting upon the complaint, the Vigilance Bureau laid a trap, during which accused Ruhi Bala Kalia was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 20,000/- from the complainant in the presence of official witnesses.

Case Registered, Probe Underway

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Jalandhar and further investigation into this case is under progress.