Punjab Vigilance Bureau Catches ASI Red-Handed Taking Bribe in Ludhiana

Punjab Vigilance Bureau has arrested an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) for allegedly accepting a bribe during an anti-corruption operation in Ludhiana. According to official information released in Chandigarh on February 25, 2026, the accused has been identified as ASI Janak Raj, who was posted as in-charge at Kailash Chowk police post in Ludhiana. He was caught red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹15,000. A spokesperson of the Vigilance Bureau stated that the arrest was made following a complaint filed by a resident of Civil Lines, Ludhiana. The complainant alleged that his brother had been arrested in a case being investigated by the accused ASI. When he visited the police station to meet his brother, the ASI allegedly demanded and accepted ₹10,000 on the spot in exchange for allowing the meeting. The spokesperson further revealed that the accused later demanded an additional bribe of ₹2 lakh for the Station House Officer (SHO) and ₹50,000 for himself in return for not placing the complainant’s brother under further police remand. The complainant reportedly recorded the entire conversation related to the bribery demand. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau Range in Ludhiana. After a preliminary inquiry, the bureau laid a trap. During the operation, ASI Janak Raj was caught accepting ₹15,000 from the complainant in the presence of two official witnesses. Following the arrest, a case has been registered against the accused at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Ludhiana under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation into the matter is currently underway.