Punjab Driving Licence Scam: Vigilance Officers Suspended | Full Details

Punjab driving licence scam : Top vigilance officers suspended, illegal licence racket exposed, and government crackdown underway. Full details here.

Chandigarh, April 28, 2025 —The Punjab government’s crackdown on the widespread driving licence scam has triggered a political and administrative storm, leading to the suspension of some of the state’s top vigilance officials. The scam, which involved illegal issuance of driving licences without proper testing, has exposed deep-rooted corruption within the transport department and law enforcement agencies.

High-Profile Suspensions Shake the Vigilance Bureau

In a move signaling zero tolerance for corruption, the Punjab government has suspended Chief Director of the Vigilance Bureau SPS Parmar, SSP (Jalandhar Range) Harpreet Singh, and AIG (Flying Squad-1) Swarndeep Singh. According to an official statement, despite clear evidence available against the accused, these senior officers failed to take immediate and decisive action.

Shockingly, even after being served a show-cause notice, SPS Parmar did not act swiftly, raising suspicions that sensitive information might have been leaked, allowing key accused individuals to escape.

How the Scam Was Unearthed

Earlier this month, Punjab’s Vigilance Bureau launched statewide raids at several Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and automated driving test tracks. What they uncovered was alarming:

• Licences were being issued without conducting proper driving tests.
• Private agents collected hefty bribes from applicants promising them “guaranteed” licences.
• 16 FIRs were registered, and 24 arrests made, including government officials and private agents.

This operation brought to light a sinister web of collusion between RTO officials and private agents.

The Modus Operandi: How Testing Norms Were Bypassed

Punjab has 32 automated driving test tracks, equipped with digital scoring and video recording. However, agents and officials found devious ways to manipulate the system:

• Old video footage of successful candidates was copy-pasted and submitted as proof for new applicants.
• Proxy drivers were made to take tests using vehicles provided by agents.
• In many cases, the same vehicle appeared repeatedly in test footage, raising red flags.

This sophisticated fraud not only endangered public safety but also tarnished the credibility of Punjab’s licensing system.

Senior Officials Under the Scanner

The scam’s tentacles reached senior transport officers as well. While Ramandeep Singh Dhillon was arrested during the investigation, two key accused — Pardeep Singh Dhillon (RTO-Mohali) and Ravinder Kumar Bansal (RTO-SBS Nagar) — remain absconding.

The failure of the Vigilance Bureau to act promptly against higher-level officials has sparked widespread criticism, forcing the government to take drastic measures.

A Department in Turmoil

The scandal has exposed the deep rot within Punjab’s vigilance machinery itself. In just two months, the state has seen three Vigilance Bureau Chiefs:

• Varinder Kumar was replaced by G Nageshwar Rao on February 17.
• SPS Parmar replaced Rao on March 26.
• Following Parmar’s suspension on April 25, PK Sinha has been given additional charge.

These frequent leadership changes have raised serious concerns over the effectiveness and autonomy of the Vigilance Bureau.

Government’s Firm Stand Against Corruption

A senior official from the Punjab government stated,

“This scam compromises public trust and road safety. The government is committed to rooting out corruption at all levels. No one will be spared — be it agents, officials, or officers.”

The government is reportedly planning even stricter monitoring of RTO offices and exploring the possibility of involving third-party audits to clean up the licensing process.

The Punjab driving licence scam has shaken the state’s administrative foundations, exposing a dangerous nexus of corruption. As the government intensifies its crackdown, the coming days could see more high-profile arrests and significant reforms in the transport and vigilance departments.

One thing is clear: Punjab is gearing up for a fierce battle against systemic corruption — and this time, the message is loud and clear — no one is above the law.