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Punjab: CBI arrests 3 men in ₹13-lakh bribery case involving Vigilance dept after midnight chase
The CBI conducted a late-night raid at the Punjab Vigilance office in Mohali and arrested two middlemen and an associate in a ₹13-lakh bribery case involving senior Vigilance officials. An FIR had accused the Goyal family of demanding ₹20 lakh for closure of a complaint, later negotiated to ₹13 lakh plus a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 for the implicated official. A Chandigarh raid led to further arrests while a dramatic chase at the Punjab-Haryana border followed; Rana remains at large as investigators widen the probe.
Why It Matters
The case points to alleged corruption within the Vigilance department and ongoing investigations into illicit gratification networks, with implications for oversight and law enforcement integrity.
Timeline
11 Events
Wider conspiracy under investigation; gunmen and police role examined
May 12, 2026
The wider conspiracy, including possible illegal gratification nexus and the role of other persons, is under investigation. The accused private persons were provided police gunmen officially, and the involvement and attachment of Punjab Police gunmen carrying AK-47 rifles with the private accused persons are being examined.
Sensitive information exchange exposed; broader nexus under probe
May 12, 2026
The investigation exposed an exchange of sensitive information relating to pending vigilance matters between Rana and the Goyals.
Searches at residences yield cash and documents
May 12, 2026
Searches at the residential premises of the Goyals in Malout and Rana in Chandigarh led to the recovery of ₹9 lakh in cash and incriminating documents.
Rana remains absconding; efforts ongoing
May 12, 2026
Rana, the Reader to DGP Vigilance, remains absconding and authorities continue efforts to arrest him.
Hot pursuit; nabbed Goyals and gunmen near Ambala
May 12, 2026
The CBI team began a hot pursuit and, after a dramatic chase, nabbed Raghav Goyal and Vikas Goyal and apprehended two gunmen near Ambala at the Punjab-Haryana border.
Goyals and Rana flee; gunmen alerted
May 12, 2026
Raghav Goyal, Vikas Goyal, and Rana ran away after being alerted by their gunmen stationed there to keep watch.
Chandigarh raid; arrest of Ankit Wadhwa; recovery of bribe and phone
May 12, 2026
Following confirmation of the bribe exchange, a CBI team raided a location in Chandigarh and arrested Ankit Wadhwa, an associate of the accused, who was accepting ₹13 lakh and a mobile phone; the bribe amount and mobile phone were recovered.
Bribe negotiations: ₹20 lakh reduced to ₹13 lakh plus phone
May 12, 2026
During negotiations, the accused reduced the demand from ₹20 lakh to ₹13 lakh and offered a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 mobile phone to Rana for closure of the complaint.
Prima facie involvement of Rana in the conspiracy
May 12, 2026
CBI stated prima facie that Rana, the Reader to the DGP Vigilance, was involved in the conspiracy.
Late-night Mohali raid; arrests in bribery case
May 12, 2026
The CBI conducted a late-night raid at the Punjab Vigilance office in Mohali and arrested two middlemen, Vikas Goyal and Raghav Goyal, along with an associate, Ankit Wadhwa, in the ₹13-lakh bribery case involving senior Vigilance officials.
FIR registered against Goyals in ₹13-lakh bribery case
May 12, 2026
A Punjab State Tax Officer filed a complaint that led to an FIR against Vikas Goyal and his son Raghav Goyal, alleging they demanded illegal gratification of ₹20 lakh for closure of a complaint against the officer in the DG Vigilance office, Punjab.