PUNJAB VIGILANCE DEPTT. ON RADAR OF CBI, ARRESTS THREE IN RS 20 LAKH BRIBERY

Face2News/Chandigarh/Sri Mukatsar Sahib

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reportedly arrested three people in bribery case linked to officials of Punjab Vigilance Bureau and the said case involves an alleged demand of Rs 20 lakh to close a complaint pending with Vigilance Department.

The CBI registered casw after a complaint was filed by a Punjab State Tax Officer and the complainant alleged that accused BJP leaders Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal demanded money in exchange for helping close a vigilance complaint against him and CBI also said the accused claimed they were acting as middlemen for senior Vigilance officials including O.P. Rana, who was working as Reader to DGP Vigilance Punjab and the complainant was allegedly assured that the matter would be settled after payment of the bribe amount.

During verification CBI found preliminary evidence supporting the bribery allegations and officials said original demand of Rs 20 lakh was later reduced to Rs 13 lakh along with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone allegedly meant for O.P. Rana following which a trap operation was conducted by CBI in Chandigarh on May 11, 2026 during which accused Ankit Wadhwa was allegedly caught while accepting Rs 13 lakh cash and the mobile phone from the complainant on behalf of other accused. The cash and phone were recovered by the agency.

The CBI further stated that during the operation accused Raghav Goyal, Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and O.P. Rana allegedly tried to flee after reportedly being alerted by gunmen present near the spot and after a chase Raghav Goyal, Vikas Goyal and two gunmen were caught near Ambala at Punjab-Haryana border however O.P. Rana is still absconding and efforts are being made to arrest him.
According to the investigating agency the probe so far shows prima facie involvement of O.P. Rana in the alleged conspiracy and searches were also carried out at houses of the accused in Malout and Chandigarh and during these searches CBI recovered Rs 9 lakh cash and some documents related to the investigation.

Punjab Vigilance Bureau official spokesperson 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.