CHANDIGARH /JALANDHAR
On Thursday, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested absconding accused Balbir Kumar Virdi, Joint Director GST, Punjab Excise Department, now posted as Deputy Commissioner State Taxes, head office Patiala. The Jalandhar court has granted two days of police remand of the accused for further investigation.
Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of VB said that earlier Balbir Kumar Virdi and other officers/employees of the state Excise Department, in collusion with some owners of transports and industries, were involved in the evasion of taxes. In this regard, a case under sections 420, 465, 467, 468, 471, 120-B of IPC and 7, 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at VB police station, Flying Squad-1, SAS Nagar Mohali against Balbir Kumar Virdi and others. Meanwhile, a vigilance inquiry regarding disproportionate assets was also initiated against Balbir Kumar Virdi.
Giving more details, he further informed that, during the probe of vigilance inquiry about disproportionate assets, accused BK Virdi, a resident of Lamma Pind, Jalandhar, now residing at Kothi No. 213, Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Jalandhar, was also booked by the Bureau for amassing assets than his known sources of income which were created through corruption as a government official. He added that during a check period from 01.04.2007 to 11.09.2020, he had spent a total of Rs 5,12,51,688.37 while his actual income from all sources was of Rs 2,08,84,863.37. During the probe, it was found that the said officer had spent Rs. 3,03,66,825 more than the income earned during the check period which was about 145.40 percent more than his total income. The in-depth investigation proved that the officer had created more moveable and immovable assets than his actual income by misusing his official position. In this regard, FIR No 12 Dated 16.05.2023 under sections 13(1)(B) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act was registered at VB police station, Jalandhar range against accused Balbir Kumar Virdi.
Since the registration of the above-mentioned FIR, he has been evading his arrest. He further informed that, on May 3, the High Court dismissed the anticipatory bail application filed by Balbir Kumar Virdi. Thereafter, VB was constantly pressing to arrest him.
Today, accused Balbir Kumar Virdi ultimately surrendered before the local court on the directions of the high court. Further investigation in this case was under progress, he said.