The Uttarakhand Vigilance Department has arrested a District Sainik Welfare Officer of Bageshwar district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000. The accused has been identified as a retired Colonel, who was held during a trap laid by the anti-corruption team following a formal complaint against him.
The case came to light after a complaint was filed via the state's toll-free anti-corruption helpline (1064). According to the complainant, a retired soldier seeking assistance with service extension matters at the District Sainik Welfare Department was asked by the accused officer to pay a bribe of Rs 50,000 to get the work done, news agency ANI reported.
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The Vigilance Department initiated a covert operation based on the complaint, setting a trap. On May 24, the retired army officer, identified as Colonel Dr Subodh Shukla and a resident of village Rampur, Tehsil Kapkot, was arrested while accepting the bribe.
He was currently serving as the district soldier welfare officer at the district soldier welfare and rehabilitation office in Bageshwar where the vigilance department laid the trap to catch him red-handed, Times Of India reported.
A case has been registered against him under the sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the accused has been arrested. According to a statement by the department, the action was initiated in line with the state-led efforts being taken against corruption in Uttarakhand under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. "The Dhami-led government has arrested 150 people against corruption in the last three years, proving the government's effective action on the ground. By taking action on corruption on such a large scale, CM Dhami has set an example in front of the people, and this unprecedented action has created new confidence among the people," a release said. CM Dhami has reiterated his top priority of turning Uttarakhand into a corruption-free state. Due to the state government's zero-tolerance policy and the prompt action of the vigilance department, officers and employees have now become alert.
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