PCS officer held for embezzling panchayat funds

Tribune News Service

Moga, August 23

The police have arrested PCS officer Jaspreet Singh three years after a corruption case was registered against him when he was posted as a Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) here.

He was declared a proclaimed offender by a local court on May 25, 2018. Despite this, he was given prime postings due to his proximity to a few senior politicians. It was only after the judiciary took serious note that the police arrested him. At present, Jaspreet was posted as Block Development and Panchayat Officer of the Ghal Khurd block in Ferozepur district. In police remand now, he will be produced before a local court on Saturday.

Jaspreet was suspended from the service on March 22, 2017, after an FIR was registered against him. Another FIR for corruption was recommended by the district authorities, but it is yet to be registered.

He was booked under Sections 409, 120B of the Indian Penal Code and Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act in September 2017 along with Sarbjit Kaur, sarpanch of Dhurkot village, and Karam Singh, panchayat secretary, for allegedly siphoning off Rs 57.46 lakh from the village panchayat’s accounts. Karam Singh was arrested while Sarbjit Kaur fled the country. Jaspreet was declared a PO but he continued enjoying prime postings.

During the investigation, it was found that the sarpanch in connivance with the panchayat secretary had allegedly withdrawn money from the panchayat accounts at regular intervals. The BDPO allegedly helped the duo as his permission was needed for withdrawals beyond a certain limit.

In a departmental inquiry, he was also allegedly involved in an embezzlement of panchayat funds to the tune of Rs 29 lakh at Ramuwala Kalan village.

ARRESTED AFTER THREE YEARS 

• Jaspreet Singh has been arrested three years after a case was registered against him when he was posted as Moga BDPO
• Declared a proclaimed offender on May 25, 2018, he was given prime postings due to his proximity to a few politicians. It was only after the judiciary took serious note that he was arrested
• At present, Jaspreet was posted as BDPO of the Ghal Khurd block in Ferozepur. In police remand now, he will be produced before a local court on Saturday