A viral video linked to alleged bribery in the course of the current panchayat elections in Dakha has been escalated right into a full-fledged investigation by the Vigilance Bureau (VB). The case, involving former sarpanch Jatinder Singh of Dakha village, has been handed over to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana vary, for additional inquiry.
The case, which was initially filed on October 30, contains costs of bribery, felony trespass and public mischief amongst others.
Accused Jatinder Singh has been booked underneath a number of sections, together with 57 (abetting fee of offence), 173 (bribery), 329 (3) (felony trespass), 351 (3) (felony intimidation), 353 (statements conducting to public mischief) of the BNS, totally different sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and varied sections of Illustration of Individuals Act, on October 30.
The case contains costs of bribery, felony trespass and public mischief amongst others. Initially filed on October 30, the investigation gained momentum after Singh’s anticipatory bail plea was dismissed in court docket.
The controversy stems from a grievance by Varinder Singh Sekhon, a rival sarpanch candidate in the course of the panchayat elections in October. Sekhon alleged that Jatinder Singh, a supporter of his opponent Jagjeet Singh Bhola, manipulated the election final result.
In keeping with Sekhon, Bhola gained by a slim margin of seven votes, however irregularities have been found within the vote-counting course of. Formally, solely 110 votes have been cancelled, however in the course of the counting, verbal bulletins inflated this quantity to 145. Sekhon claimed that Jatinder Singh admitted throughout a gathering on the gurdwara of Patti Jalal that he bribed officers to tamper with voting papers and affect the election final result. The confession was reportedly captured on video, which Sekhon introduced as proof.
After preliminary investigations, the police discovered enough proof to register an FIR towards Jatinder Singh. The Vigilance Bureau hinted that extra individuals may very well be booked within the case.
A VB official stated that they might completely examine the allegations and study all proof, together with the viral video. If obligatory, extra individuals can be nominated within the FIR because the case unfolds.
This case underscores issues over transparency and equity in panchayat elections.