Faridabad, August 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Faridabad, has arrested an Excise and Taxation Officer (ETO) and a driver for allegedly accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe, officials said on Tuesday.
The accused have been identified as Surender Poonia, Excise and Taxation Officer at the office of the Joint Excise and Taxation Commissioner, Faridabad Division, and Ram Babu, driver at the office of the Joint Excise and Taxation Commissioner (Appeals), Faridabad.
According to the complaint received by the bureau, the complainant works for a transport company and is responsible for supervising its vehicles and getting their route passes cleared.
The complaint alleged that on August 10, 2026, ETO Surender Poonia intercepted a company vehicle carrying scrap from Lucknow in Faridabad. When the complainant met Poonia later that night at Sikri in Faridabad, the officer allegedly said a penalty of around ₹10 lakh could be imposed on the vehicle and offered to settle the matter for ₹4 lakh.
The complainant further alleged that he met Poonia at his PG accommodation in Sector 11, Faridabad, on August 14. According to the complaint, the officer demanded ₹2 lakh after August 15 and the remaining ₹2 lakh two to four days later. He allegedly also assured the complainant that the company’s vehicles would not be stopped in future.
The complaint further stated that driver Ram Babu was present during the alleged demand for bribe and that the complainant had a recording of the conversation.
Acting on the complaint, the Vigilance Bureau laid a trap. During the operation, Ram Babu, who was allegedly sitting with Poonia in the ETO’s office, was caught while accepting ₹1 lakh from the complainant. The alleged bribe amount was recovered from the spot, and both accused were arrested.
A case has been registered as FIR No. 19 dated August 25, 2026, under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act at the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau police station in Faridabad. The investigation is underway.
The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has appealed to citizens to report demands for bribes by government officials or employees in connection with official work on helpline numbers 1064 and 1800-180-2022. It said complaints would be dealt with according to law and the identity of complainants would be protected.
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