Punjab transport staff sentenced for corruption in Chandigarh

A Punjab transport department staff member was sentenced to four years in prison on Wednesday for his role in a corruption case dating back to 2017. The court found both the accused, a 66-year-old former senior assistant and a 28-year-old daily wager, guilty of accepting bribes. The case began when a complainant, Kamal Kumar, sought a registration certificate and an All India Permit for his car. He was quoted a fee of ₹16,000, along with a daily late penalty, totaling ₹19,300. Kumar later discovered the actual fee was only ₹9,500. After reporting the matter, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) caught the accused taking a bribe. During the trial, the CBI argued that the defendants misused their official positions. They demanded and accepted bribes under the pretense of fees, illustrating a severe issue of corruption in public service. In her ruling, Judge Alka Malik highlighted the damaging effects of corruption on public institutions. She stressed that such actions weaken democracy and public trust. The court emphasized that harsh punishments are necessary to deter similar misconduct in the future.