CBI graft case against aide clouds Punjab vigilance chief's DGP bid

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registering a corruption case against the reader to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau chief and alleged middlemen has cast a shadow over the candidature of Punjab DGP (Vigilance) Sharad Satya Chauhan, who is currently the senior-most contender for the state’s top police post.

The controversy surfaced after the CBI lodged an FIR against OP Rana, reader to the DGP (Vigilance), along with private individuals Raghav Goyal and Vikas Goyal over alleged bribery linked to the disposal of a vigilance complaint.

Though the FIR does not name Sharad Satya Chauhan as an accused, the CBI’s verification report and the FIR mention his name in connection with the allegations.

According to the CBI, the accused allegedly demanded Rs 13 lakh from complainant Amit Kumar, a State Tax Officer from Abohar, purportedly on behalf of public servants, including OP Rana and the DGP (Vigilance), for facilitating the closure of a pending complaint.

The FIR further alleged that the two private contractors acted as intermediaries for Sharad Satya Chauhan and his reader while seeking illegal gratification in exchange for favourable action in the case.

The development has gained significance as Chauhan, a 1992-batch IPS officer, remains among the frontrunners for the post of Punjab Director General of Police.

The Punjab government recently sent a panel of 14 IPS officers to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), with Chauhan being the senior-most officer in contention. The UPSC is expected to shortlist three names, following which the state government will appoint the regular DGP.

The latest CBI action is likely to raise questions over how the UPSC assesses Chauhan’s candidature, especially after his reader was booked in the graft case.

Since the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government assumed office in March 2022, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has seen frequent leadership changes, with five different directors heading the bureau during the period.

Responding to the controversy, Sharad Satya Chauhan denied any involvement in wrongdoing and distanced himself from the alleged actions of his reader.

“I am not responsible for any shady activity of my reader. My name has been unnecessarily taken in this case. I was in office till 6 pm and went to attend office next day also. I am available,” Chauhan said.

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