Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrests Jalandhar MC ATP in corruption case

JALANDHAR: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested an Assistant Town Planner (ATP) with the Municipal Corporation, Jalandhar for allegedly demanding bribe.

The town planner identified as Sukhdev Vashisht, Jalandhar, for demanding a bribe of Rs 30,000. VB sleuths visited the building branch of the MC on Wednesday evening, detained Vashisht, and investigated the records until night. His arrest has already led to a lot of speculation in political circles due to his alleged proximity to a political leader.

A VB spokesperson stated that the accused was arrested based on several complaints received from stakeholders. The complainants alleged that the accused deliberately delayed file approvals and extorted money from applicants. They informed that despite 70 percent of building maps in the area being approved by the MC, ATP Vashisht refused to clear certain files unless bribes were paid. According to the complaint, the ATP demanded Rs 30,000 to process the case. The complainants also accused him of using threats, including sealing buildings during inspections to intimidate applicants, and even claimed that he was not afraid of being transferred.
The spokesperson further added that after a preliminary examination of the complaint, the VB Jalandhar range registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the MC official and arrested him. "Further investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of corruption," he said.
Previously, Sukhdev Vashisht had parts of Jalandhar Central in his jurisdiction, and nowadays, parts of Jalandhar West constituency. The timing of the action against him has triggered speculation that it could have political ramifications, as corruption in the building branch was often discussed in political and official circles.