Officials from the Dehradun-based wing of the Vigilance Department arrested Haridwar District Supply Officer Shyam Arya and two others on charges of accepting a bribe of ₹50,000, authorities said. The arrests were made during a planned operation after investigators laid a trap at the District Supply Office in Haridwar, following what officials described as a steady stream of complaints from members of the public.
According to vigilance officials, the accused were caught “red-handed” while receiving the bribe, which had allegedly been demanded in exchange for official work linked to the department. The operation was conducted by a team dispatched from Dehradun, the state capital, underscoring the seriousness with which the department said it was treating the allegations.
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Complaints That Triggered the Operation
The arrests followed months of complaints alleging that officials at the Haridwar District Supply Office were routinely demanding illegal payments for services that are meant to be delivered under government rules. These included the issuance of ration cards, approvals for licences, and other administrative clearances central to the public distribution system.
Vigilance officials said preliminary verification of the complaints suggested a pattern rather than isolated misconduct. Only after this initial assessment did the department move to set a trap, a method commonly used in corruption investigations to establish direct evidence of a bribe demand and acceptance.
Inside the Supply Office
After the arrests, the vigilance team established a presence inside the District Supply Office, sealing off parts of the premises and examining files and records. Sources familiar with the investigation said officials were scrutinising documents related to recent approvals and transactions to determine whether the alleged bribery was systemic.
Investigators are also questioning the accused to identify possible accomplices and to establish whether bribes were demanded as a matter of routine. Officials indicated that the inquiry could widen, depending on what emerges from the document review and interrogation.
A Broader Anti-Corruption Push
The case has sent ripples through Uttarakhand’s administrative machinery, particularly within the Supply Department, which plays a critical role in welfare delivery. Vigilance officials said the arrests reflect a “zero-tolerance” approach toward corruption and warned that similar operations would continue wherever credible complaints surface.
Anti-corruption drives in the state have intensified in recent months, with the vigilance department emphasising both deterrence and accountability. While the investigation in Haridwar remains at an early stage, officials say it illustrates the risks faced by public servants accused of exploiting their positions—and the growing willingness of enforcement agencies to act on citizen complaints.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
