MANDI: The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested three revenue officials in the Gohar area of Himachal Pradesh‘s Mandi district for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹2 lakh to process land mutation documents. The arrests have sent shockwaves through the local revenue department.
According to DSP Vigilance Priyank Gupta, the matter came to light after complainant Purna Chand approached the bureau. The complainant alleged that Qanungo Bansi Lal and Patwari Arun Dhiman had demanded ₹2 lakh in exchange for updating land records. Following an initial verification, the bureau found the allegations to be true and laid a trap in Gohar.
As per the agreement, the first installment of ₹1 lakh was to be handed over. Qanungo Bansi Lal and Patwari Arun Dhiman sent their assistant, Lalit Kumar, to collect the money. The waiting Vigilance team caught Lalit Kumar red-handed as soon as he accepted the ₹1 lakh bribe from the complainant.
Following Lalit Kumar’s arrest at the scene, rigorous questioning led the team to the direct involvement of Qanungo Bansi Lal and Patwari Arun Dhiman. Both officials were subsequently taken into custody and formally arrested after their role in the racket was established. Vigilance sources revealed that Qanungo Bansi Lal was due to retire from service in just a few days.
A case has been registered against all three accused at the Vigilance Police Station in Mandi under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. DSP Priyank Gupta stated that the arrested individuals will be produced in court, where the bureau will seek their police remand to investigate the broader conspiracy and ascertain if others were involved.
