Haryana Vigilance Bureau Flags 140 Officials Over Repeated Bribery Complaints

The Haryana State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SV&ACB) has identified 140 officers and employees across the state against whom repeated complaints have allegedly been received for not performing official duties without accepting bribes.

The development was discussed during a review meeting chaired by SV&ACB chief Arshinder Singh Chawla at the Bureau headquarters in Panchkula on Wednesday. The meeting, attended by superintendents of police and officers from various ranges, focused on strengthening anti-corruption enforcement, increasing the use of modern technology and improving public confidence in the complaint mechanism.

Chawla clarified that the list of 140 officials was not prepared to target individuals but to provide relief to the public from corrupt practices. He said the list had been compiled in an impartial and transparent manner and directed officers to submit information about other allegedly corrupt officials to the headquarters within a week. The Bureau chief said the objective was not merely to catch corrupt officials but also to promote a culture of honesty, transparency and accountability across the government system.

Chawla stressed that complainants are the "backbone" of the anti-corruption mechanism and directed officers to ensure their safety, confidentiality and dignity. Officials were asked to maintain regular contact with complainants and provide assistance throughout the process, from trap operations to court proceedings. He emphasised that securing the conviction of guilty officials was as important as catching them accepting bribes.

According to the Bureau, 92 successful trap and raid operations were conducted between January 2022 and June 2026, leading to the arrest of several officers and employees allegedly while accepting bribes. Chawla directed officers to take action without considering an accused person's rank, influence or social standing, stressing that everyone is equal before the law. He also called for speed, secrecy and professionalism during operations, along with greater use of advanced technology and high-tech equipment.

The Bureau has been instructed to widely publicise its toll-free helpline numbers 1800-180-2022 and 1064 and display awareness boards at government offices, public places and markets. The initiative aims to encourage more citizens to report corruption and turn the anti-corruption campaign into a people's movement.