Chandigarh, May 12
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three people in connection with an alleged bribery case involving officials linked to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau.The agency said the case relates to an alleged demand for illegal payments in exchange for closing a complaint pending before the office of the Director General (Vigilance), Punjab.
According to the CBI, the investigation began after a Punjab State Tax Officer filed a complaint alleging that Vikas, also known as Vicky Goyal, and his son Raghav Goyal demanded Rs 20 lakh to “settle” the matter. Investigators allege the two men claimed to be acting on behalf of senior vigilance officials, including O.P. Rana, a Reader to the Director General of Vigilance, Punjab.
The CBI said preliminary verification supported the allegations. Officials alleged that the demanded amount was later reduced to Rs 13 lakh along with a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone, allegedly meant for O.P. Rana.
During an operation conducted in Chandigarh on 11 May 2026, investigators said they caught Ankit Wadhwa, described as an associate of the accused, while allegedly accepting Rs 13 lakh in cash and the mobile phone from the complainant. The agency said both the cash and phone were recovered during the operation.
The CBI further alleged that after being alerted by gunmen present near the location, Raghav Goyal, Vikas Goyal and O.P. Rana attempted to flee. Following a chase, the two private accused and two gunmen were detained near Ambala along the Punjab-Haryana border. O.P. Rana remains absconding, officials said.
Searches carried out at properties linked to the accused in Malout and Chandigarh reportedly led to the recovery of Rs 9 lakh in cash and documents described by investigators as incriminating.
The agency said its investigation had so far revealed what it called “prima facie” evidence of O.P. Rana’s involvement in the alleged conspiracy. Officials are also examining the role of Punjab Police gunmen, reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles, who had been assigned to the private accused.
The wider alleged network of illegal payments and the possible involvement of additional individuals remain under investigation, the CBI added.
The arrested accused are expected to be produced before a designated court in Chandigarh. Further investigation is ongoing.
