Ludhiana DC calls for Vigilance probe against BJP leader in bribery case

Ludhiana: Ludhiana deputy commissioner Jitendra Jorwal sought a vigilance probe against Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Kanwar Narinder Singh, a retired revenue officer, in a bribery case. In a letter written to the senior superintendent of police (SSP), Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana Range, DC Jorwal stated that a complaint was received from Harideypal Singh, resident of Padampur village, Ganganagar, Rajasthan, against Kanwar Narinder Singh, former tehsildar, central (now retired), for accepting a bribe of Rs 22.50 lakh. A probe was conducted by the SDM West, who recommended a vigilance probe in his inquiry report. Thereafter, the competent authority decided to conduct a Vigilance inquiry into the case.
Besides a copy of the complaint, the DC also shared the SDM's report with the Vigilance Bureau, asking them to conduct an inquiry against Kanwar Narinder Singh. It is alleged that in 2020, Rajasthan resident Harideypal Singh wanted to get ‘intekal' of his property done, for which the revenue officer deputed at the revenue office - east at the time, sought and accepted a bribe of Rs 22.50 lakh. It is alleged that the Rajasthan resident lodged a complaint with the Ludhiana district administration but the inquiry continued for years, and the complainant also died.
SSP, Vigilance Bureau, Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu, said, "We received the letter from the Ludhiana DC seeking a probe against former revenue officer Kanwar Narinder Singh on Wednesday. The VB has initiated an enquiry."
Kanwar Narinder Singh joined the BJP a year after his retirement. He unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections from the Jagraon constituency.
"This matter is of 2018 when the Rajasthan resident levelled allegations against me. An inquiry was conducted by the SDM and the ADC in this matter, however, the complainant himself gave an affidavit to the inquiry team saying that he had complained against me due to some misunderstanding. He had also issued statement about this to the inquiry team. I don't understand why this matter is being highlighted deliberately and maliciously. I have already challenged the chargesheet against me in the Punjab & Haryana high court because as per service rules, a person cannot be charged after four years of retirement," Kanwar Narinder Singh told TOI.
MSID:: 117983356 413 |