Bageshwar, Uttarakhand — A retired army colonel serving as the District Sainik Welfare Officer in Uttarakhand’s Bageshwar district was arrested on May 24 for allegedly accepting a ₹50,000 bribe in connection with service extension-related work. The arrest, carried out in a swift operation by the state Vigilance Department, highlights mounting efforts under the Pushkar Singh Dhami government to crack down on corruption in the hill state.
The Trap That Snared a Colonel
The arrest followed a complaint made through the state’s corruption helpline, 1064, wherein a retired soldier alleged that the official had demanded a ₹50,000 bribe for processing his extension-related file. Acting on this complaint, a team from the vigilance department laid a trap.
According to officials, the accused — a resident of village Rampur in Tehsil Kapkot — was apprehended the moment he accepted the marked bribe money. The operation was executed with precision and secrecy, designed to catch the official red-handed without alerting local networks of influence or power.
A case under the Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered against the officer, who remains in custody pending further investigation.
Zero-Tolerance, or Political Messaging?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, under whose tenure over 150 people have been arrested in anti-corruption drives over the last three years, emphasized that his administration’s top priority is ensuring clean governance.
“The Dhami-led government is setting an example,” a press release noted, adding that such swift and visible action is helping rebuild public trust in state institutions. However, some observers suggest that these arrests also serve a political function — amplifying a narrative of governance reform ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
A Shadow on Veterans’ Services
What makes this case particularly troubling is that it involves the very department meant to safeguard the interests of ex-servicemen. The District Sainik Welfare Office is supposed to facilitate benefits, pensions, and other entitlements for retired armed forces personnel — not exploit them for personal gain.
Local veterans have expressed shock and disappointment. “This is a betrayal of trust,” said a former army subedar from Almora.
“We expect integrity and respect from officers who once wore the uniform — not extortion for what is already rightfully ours.”