Pradhan allegedly caught demanding ₹5000 bribe, audio goes viral

Munish Sood

Mandi: A purported audio clip of Bhambla Gram Panchayat head, under Sarkaghat Subdivision of Mandi district, has gone viral, allegedly revealing her demand for a ₹5000 bribe from a street vendor in exchange for a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

Following the incident, the complainant, Megh Raj, has submitted a formal complaint to the SDM of Sarkaghat, seeking strict action.

Vendor Accuses Panchayat Head of Bribe Demand

In a video statement, Megh Raj, a street vendor from Uttar Pradesh, claimed that he had sought an NOC from the Panchayat to set up his business in the Bhambla Panchayat area.

However, the Panchayat head allegedly demanded ₹5000 in return. When he refused to pay, she reportedly denied issuing the certificate.

Megh Raj further alleged that the Panchayat head justified her refusal by stating that NOCs are not issued to outsiders. “I am an Indian citizen, not a foreigner. Such discrimination is unjust,” he said, urging the state government to take immediate action.

Panchayat Head Rejects Allegations, Calls Audio Fake

On being contacted, the Bhambla Panchayat head outrightly denied the allegations, claiming that the viral audio is not hers. She maintained that an official investigation is underway and that the truth will soon come to light. “Once the real culprit is identified, I will ensure their arrest,” she asserted.

Meanwhile, SDM Sarkaghat has ordered BDO Gopalpur and the Station House Officer (SHO) of Baldwara police station to conduct a thorough inquiry into the matter.

Contents of the Viral Audio

The alleged audio clip reportedly features a conversation between a woman, believed to be the Panchayat head, and another individual. In the clip, the woman is heard stating that ₹5000 is required for the NOC and that she does not issue such certificates to outsiders. The man in the conversation is heard refusing to pay the amount.

With the controversy gaining momentum, the district administration’s probe will determine the authenticity of the audio and any potential misconduct. Further developments are awaited.