BATALA, 22 November 2025 — Punjab Vigilance Bureau officials on Friday night arrested SDM-cum-Municipal Corporation Commissioner Vikramjeet Singh Panthey after recovering Rs 14 lakh in unaccounted cash from his residence, police said.
The search, carried out by three VB vehicles starting around 10 p.m., continued until midnight. Residents and MC staff were left stunned as news of the raid spread through the city.
Councillors said corruption had long plagued the Municipal Corporation, with officials allegedly demanding bribes to process payments or approve work. “We often raised these issues during House meetings, but the Commissioner would hush us, saying, ‘Come and meet me personally,’” one councillor said.
Sources claim Panthey took a cut from all MC tenders. The case was triggered when city resident Amarpal Singh approached the Vigilance Bureau, alleging a 10 per cent bribe demand.
Amarpal, who had carried out road repair work worth Rs 3.72 lakh, said, “The Commissioner told me my payment would be released only after paying him 10 per cent. He also directed me to meet MC employee Rohit Uppal. Later, for light and sound show work, I was asked the same.” Panthey had reportedly given extra charge and powers to SDO Rohit Uppal, sources said.
Refusing to pay the bribe, Amarpal lodged a formal complaint with the Gurdaspur VB unit, which has jurisdiction over Batala. Authorities confirmed that a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, has been registered at the Vigilance Bureau police station in Amritsar range.
A councillor said Panthey’s arrest could temporarily curb corruption at the MC. “For the next few weeks, the Municipal Corporation will see a halt to corrupt practices. If this continues, it will directly benefit the citizens,” he said.
