HC ORDERS VIGILANCE INVESTIGATION INTO CORRUPTION IN CONSTRUCTION WORK: ENGINEERING WING DEPARTMENT UNDER DOCK.

CHANDIGARH, RAPRIA, 12.10.2015: On Monday the High Court came heavily on the Vigilance Bureau, Haryana, for failing to act on the specific information of corruption, provided by Subedar Major Janak Raj (Retd.), a resident of Ambala, in the execution of construction work in Ambala. Justice Deepak Sibal of the High Court of Punjab & Haryana has directed the Director, Vigilance Bureau to take action on the Legal Notice issued by the Petitioner through his Advocate Pardeep Rapria and his connected series of representations. The Petitioner emphatically pleaded before the court that corruption free services is the Fundamental Right of every citizen.

        The Order came after hearing the Petitioner’s counsel Pardeep Rapria; who apprised the High Court that the Petitioner, a retired Army Officer; through more than 14 series of representations to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary Vigilance Department, DG Vigilance Bureau etc. since last more than 2(two) years has been providing specific information about the corruption involving crores and crores rupees; in the execution of construction work in Ambala; by adopting the means of using inferior quality material, forgery of Attendance Registers of Labourers, fake bills etc. And, the corruption has been committed by the Sarpanch-Engineers-Contactor nexus. The counsel for the Petitioner further apprised the court that with a view to avoid litigation; he had issued Legal Notice on behalf of his client to the Chief Secretary, Vigilance Department and DG Vigilance Bureau for taking action on the representations of the Petitioners; but the authorities had turned blind eye to the allegations of corruption and ultimately Petitioner has been compelled to knock the doors of High Court.

        High Court took serious view of the matter and had observe that on the one hand the Vigilance Department encourages the citizens to provide information about corruption; but on the other hand the authorities turns blind eye to the specific corruption information provided by a public spirited citizen and he is compelled to run from pillar to post for ensuring action on his written information.