Sitarganj | ENewsXpress Desk:
A major standoff unfolded at Sitarganj Tehsil in Uttarakhand’s Udham Singh Nagar district on Wednesday night following a vigilance trap operation. Tehsil employees launched a protest after the arrest of two revenue officials on bribery charges, preventing the Vigilance team from leaving the premises. As tensions escalated, the team remained inside the tehsil complex throughout the night while discussions between officials and employee representatives failed to produce a resolution.
What Happened?
The Vigilance Department conducted a trap operation at Sitarganj Tehsil and arrested Senior Assistant Bhupendra Singh Rana and Collection Amin Madan Lal Sharma for allegedly accepting a ₹16,000 bribe. According to the complaint, the money was demanded in exchange for processing a land-related matter.
Following the arrests, tehsil employees staged a protest and locked the main entrance of the office. They claimed that the amount in question was government revenue and Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan recovery money, which was being collected as part of an official departmental process—not as a bribe.
Overnight Deadlock
The protest led to prolonged discussions between Vigilance officials and employee unions, but no agreement could be reached. Although senior district officials were expected to intervene, none arrived at the tehsil until late at night. As a result, the tense situation continued, and the Vigilance team remained inside the premises overnight.
Employees’ Stand
Revenue employee unions argued that a routine and legally authorized revenue collection process had been wrongly portrayed as a bribery case, damaging the reputation of government employees. They alleged that action had been taken without a thorough examination of all the facts, leading to widespread resentment among staff.
The unions have submitted memorandums to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and other senior government officials, demanding a high-level and impartial investigation into the matter.
Administration’s Response
The tehsil administration stated that the officials against whom action was taken were carrying out official duties and that the money involved was linked to revenue collection and KCC loan recovery. Meanwhile, the Vigilance Department maintained that the operation was conducted on the basis of a complaint and a legally sanctioned trap procedure. Officials said the investigation is ongoing.
Current Situation
The incident has escalated into a confrontation between the Vigilance Department and revenue employee unions. While the Vigilance Department stands by the legality of its action, employee organizations continue to insist on an impartial inquiry before any conclusions are drawn. All eyes are now on the outcome of the investigation and the administration’s next course of action.
Note: This report is based on statements made by the concerned parties and information available at the time of publication. The investigation is ongoing, and further official updates may follow.
