Breaking : CBI arrests three in ₹20 Lakh bribery case linked to Punjab Vigilance officials
May 12, 2026
ETT News / Ludhiana
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three accused persons in a ₹20 lakh bribery case allegedly linked to officials posted in the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, according to an official statement issued by the agency.
The arrested accused include two private middlemen and one associate. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a Punjab State Tax Officer.
According to the complaint, accused Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal allegedly demanded ₹20 lakh as illegal gratification for securing the closure of a complaint pending against the complainant in the office of DG Vigilance, Punjab. The accused were allegedly acting as intermediaries for senior Vigilance officials, including the Reader to DGP Vigilance, Punjab. They allegedly used their influence to assure the complainant that his matter could be settled.
The CBI statement further alleged that O.P. Rana, Reader to DG Vigilance, assured the complainant that the complaint would be closed once the illegal gratification was paid. During verification, the allegations regarding the demand of bribe were prima facie substantiated. The demand was allegedly negotiated and reduced from ₹20 lakh to ₹13 lakh, along with one Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone for O.P. Rana.
A trap was laid on May 11, 2026, at Chandigarh. During the trap proceedings, accused Ankit Wadhwa, described as an associate of the accused persons, was apprehended while allegedly accepting ₹13 lakh and the mobile phone from the complainant on behalf of the accused persons. The bribe amount and mobile phone were recovered during the trap proceedings.
During the operation, accused Raghav Goyal, Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and public servant O.P. Rana allegedly fled after being alerted by gunmen who were present near the spot for surveillance. After a chase, Raghav Goyal, Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and two gunmen were apprehended by the CBI team near Ambala at the Punjab-Haryana border. However, O.P. Rana, Reader to DGP Vigilance, is still absconding, and efforts are being made to arrest him.
The investigation conducted so far has prima facie revealed the active involvement of accused O.P. Rana in the conspiracy. Searches were conducted at the residential premises of Raghav Goyal and Vikas alias Vicky Goyal at Malout, and at the premises of O.P. Rana in Chandigarh. These searches led to the recovery of ₹9 lakh cash and incriminating documents.
CBI investigation has also revealed alleged exchange of sensitive information relating to pending vigilance matters between O.P. Rana and the private accused persons. The wider conspiracy, including a possible illegal gratification nexus and the role of other persons, is under investigation.
The CBI has also stated that the accused private persons were officially provided police gunmen. The role and attachment of Punjab Police gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles with the private accused persons is also being examined.
The accused persons will be produced before the designated court at Chandigarh.
Further investigation is continuing.
CBI Punjab Vigilance Bribery Case Rs 20 Lakh Bribe Chandigarh Trap O P Rana Vikas Goyal Raghav Goyal
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