CBI arrests three in Rs 20 lakh bribery case linked to Punjab Vigilance Officials
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/May 12,2026
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three accused persons, including two private middlemen and one associate, in a Rs.20 Lakh bribery case involving demand and acceptance of illegal gratification on behalf of officials posted in Punjab Vigilance Bureau.
Whereas, an official spokesperson of Punjab Vigilance Bureau said that a private individual has been caught by the CBI, and the investigation is ongoing. If the name of anyone from the bureau arises, we will cooperate fully with the CBI and let the law take its course.
On the other hand the instant case has been registered by CBI on the basis of a complaint filed by a Punjab State Tax Officer. The complainant alleged that the accused Vikas @ Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal demanded illegal gratification of Rs. 20 Lakh for securing closure of a complaint pending against him in the office of DG (Vigilance), Punjab. Further, it was alleged that both the accused were acting as intermediaries for senior Vigilance officials including the Reader to DGP Vigilance, Punjab and were using their influence to assure the complainant that his matter could be settled. O. P. Rana, the reader to DG Vigilance assured him for closure of the complaint once illegal gratification is paid.
During verification, allegations regarding demand of bribe were prima facie substantiated. The accused negotiated/ reduced the demand from Rs.20 lakh to Rs.13 lakh along with one Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone for O.P. Rana, reader to DG, Vigilance.
During trap proceedings conducted on 11.05.2026 at Chandigarh, accused Ankit Wadhwa, associate of the accused persons was apprehended while accepting bribe amount of Rs.13 lakh and the mobile phone from the complainant on behalf of the accused persons. The bribe amount and mobile phone were recovered during the trap proceedings.
During the operation, accused Raghav Goyal , Vikas @ Vicky Goyal and public servant, reader to DG Vigilance, O.P. Rana ran away after being alerted by the gunmen, who were present near the spot for surveillance . After a chase, the accused namely Raghav Goyal, Vikas@Vicky Goyal and two gunman were apprehended by the CBI team near Ambala at the Punjab-Haryana border. However the accused O.P Rana, reader to DGP Vigilance is still absconding and efforts are being made to arrest him.
Investigation conducted so far, prima facie reveals active involvement of accused O.P. Rana, Reader to DGP Vigilance, Punjab, in the conspiracy.
Searches were conducted at the residential premises of accused Raghav Goyal and Vikas @ Vicky Goyal at Malout and accused O.P. Rana at Chandigarh, leading to recovery of Rs. 9 Lakh cash and incriminating documents.
Investigation further revealed exchange of sensitive information relating to pending vigilance matters between accused O.P. Rana and the private accused persons. The wider conspiracy, including possible illegal gratification nexus and the role of other persons, is under investigation. The accused private persons were given police gunman officially. The role and attachment of Punjab Police gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles with the private accused persons is also being examined.
The accused will be produced before the designated court at Chandigarh.
Further investigation is continuing
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