5 former Panchayat members arrested for embezzlement of Rs 1.67 crore

The Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested five former panchayat members of Benaka village in Tarn Taran district for allegedly misusing government grants received for the development of the village.

Those arrested were identified as Gurmej Singh and Jwala Singh, both former sarpanches, and Nirwail Singh, Kabul Singh and Gurbir Singh, all former members of the gram panchayat.
A VB spokesperson said a case was registered against the former panchayat members on the complaint of Shubeg Singh, a resident of Benaka village.

The spokesperson said that during the investigation it was found that the five suspects had embezzled government funds. 1.67 crore during their tenure as members of Benka Gram Panchayat.
A case was registered under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act at VB Police Station, Amritsar Range. The spokesperson said further investigation is underway.