CBI arrests 3 in ₹20 lakh Punjab Vigilance Bureau bribery case, key accused flees
Synopsis
The CBI's sting operation on Punjab's own Vigilance Bureau has exposed an alleged bribery network where senior officials reportedly used private middlemen to collect illegal gratification — and armed Punjab Police gunmen with AK-47s may have helped them nearly escape. The key accused remains on the run.
Key Takeaways
The CBI arrested three persons on 11 May 2025 in a ₹20 lakh bribery case linked to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau .
Accused Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal allegedly acted as intermediaries for senior Vigilance official OP Rana .
The bribe demand was reportedly settled at ₹13 lakh and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 phone; associate Ankit Wadhwa was caught red-handed.
OP Rana , Reader to the DGP (Vigilance), Punjab , remains absconding after fleeing toward the Punjab-Haryana border near Ambala .
Searches recovered ₹9 lakh in cash and incriminating documents from premises in Malout and Chandigarh .
The CBI is examining the role of Punjab Police gunmen armed with AK-47 rifles who were attached to the private accused.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested three persons, including two private middlemen, in connection with a ₹20 lakh bribery case involving the demand and acceptance of illegal gratification on behalf of officials posted in the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. A key accused, OP Rana, Reader to the Director General of Police (Vigilance), Punjab, remains absconding after evading a CBI trap in Chandigarh on 11 May 2025.
Background and Complaint
The case was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by a Punjab State Tax Officer, who alleged that accused Vikas alias Vicky Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal demanded ₹20 lakh to secure the closure of a complaint pending against him in the office of the Director General (Vigilance), Punjab. According to the CBI, investigations revealed that the two acted as intermediaries for senior Vigilance officials, with OP Rana assuring the complainant of case closure once the bribe was paid.
How the Trap Was Laid
During negotiations, the demand was reportedly settled at ₹13 lakh and a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone for Rana. CBI sleuths laid a trap on 11 May 2025 in Chandigarh, where Ankit Wadhwa, an associate of the middlemen, was caught red-handed while accepting the cash and the phone. However, Raghav Goyal, Vikas Goyal, and Rana attempted to flee after being alerted by gunmen present for surveillance.
Chase, Arrests, and Recovery
Following a chase, Raghav Goyal, Vikas Goyal, and two gunmen were intercepted near Ambala at the Punjab-Haryana border. Searches conducted at the residential premises of the accused in Malout and Chandigarh led to the recovery of ₹9 lakh in cash and various incriminating documents. The CBI stated that OP Rana remains absconding and that efforts are underway to apprehend him.
Sensitive Information and Gunmen Under Scrutiny
Preliminary findings indicate an exchange of sensitive information regarding pending vigilance matters between Rana and the private individuals. Notably, the agency is also examining the role and attachment of Punjab Police gunmen, equipped with AK-47 rifles, to the private accused persons — a detail that raises questions about the misuse of official security cover for private interests.
What Happens Next
The arrested individuals are to be produced before a designated court in Chandigarh as the investigation into the wider conspiracy and the possible involvement of other officials continues. The case marks a significant probe into alleged corruption within Punjab's own anti-corruption machinery, and its outcome could have implications for accountability within the state's Vigilance apparatus.
Point of View
Raising questions about how official security infrastructure is being deployed. The fact that the key accused, a Reader to the DGP (Vigilance), remains at large despite a coordinated CBI trap points to either a failure of surveillance or a tip-off from within — both of which demand scrutiny beyond the three already arrested.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the CBI Punjab Vigilance Bureau bribery case about?
The CBI arrested three persons, including two private middlemen, in a ₹20 lakh bribery case in which officials of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau allegedly demanded illegal gratification to close a pending complaint against a Punjab State Tax Officer. The case was registered following a complaint filed by the officer.
Who is OP Rana and why is he significant?
OP Rana is the Reader to the Director General of Police (Vigilance), Punjab, and is the senior official at the centre of the bribery allegations. He reportedly assured the complainant of case closure in exchange for the bribe but remains absconding after evading the CBI trap on 11 May 2025.
How much bribe was actually paid and in what form?
The original demand of ₹20 lakh was reportedly negotiated down to ₹13 lakh in cash along with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone for OP Rana. CBI associate Ankit Wadhwa was caught red-handed accepting this amount.
What was recovered during the CBI searches?
Searches at residential premises in Malout and Chandigarh led to the recovery of ₹9 lakh in cash and various incriminating documents. The CBI also found preliminary evidence of an exchange of sensitive information about pending vigilance matters.
What is the significance of Punjab Police gunmen being involved?
The CBI is examining the role of Punjab Police personnel armed with AK-47 rifles who were reportedly attached to the private accused. Their presence during the attempted escape raises serious questions about the misuse of official security cover for private individuals.
