Inquiry against ASI in disproportionate assets case begins

AMRITSAR: The state vigilance bureau has initiated an inquiry against assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Ramandeep Singh of the Punjab Police, who had been on deputation in the transport department, for allegedly accumulating disproportionate assets by accepting bribes from transporters for allowing their buses to run without paying taxes.

The ASI, who had been deputed as a driver of the regional transport authority (RTA), Amritsar, has reportedly caused a loss worth crores to the state exchequer in the last three years.

The vigilance swung into action days after Punjab transport minister Laljit Singh Bhullar paid a surprise visit to the Amritsar bus stand on Tuesday and found that several private bus operators had not been paying tax for the last five years. Following this, a section of transporters alleged that they had been paying monthly bribes to the department’s staff for running their buses for the last 20 years.

When the minister asked about the staff member involved, the transporters mentioned ASI’S name.

“The transporters have alleged that the ASI allowed their buses to run after payment of bribe. First of all, those who had stolen the tax should pay back. And if the ASI is found guilty, action will be taken against him,” the minister had said.

“A complaint about amassing disproportionate assets was received against ASI. He is also allegedly involved in corrupt activities and used to collect money from the transporters. We have opened an inquiry against him. A thorough probe will be held into the allegations and he will not be spared if found guilty,” said senior superintendent of police (SSP), vigilance, Daljinder Singh Dhillon.

Amritsar RTA secretary Arshdeep Singh Lobana, said, “The ASI was posted in Amritsar for the last three years. After the allegations against him surfaced, I wrote to the department to shift him. He has now been transferred to the head office.” Lobana said his senior officials could tell if a departmental probe has also been ordered against the ASI. Sources in the RTA office said that the ASI was given powers ranging from issuing challans to private buses to releasing the impounded vehicles.