Acting tough against the corruption within the Police Department, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Friday released a helpline number and an e-mail id to complain against anyone asking for a bribe for a police clearance certificate or any other police verification.

The helpline was launched over eight months after a similar anti-corruption number was released by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to report any corrupt activity in any of the State Government departments.

DGP informed about the anti-corruption initiative via Twitter. “Someone asking for bribe for police clearance certificate (PCC) or any other police verification? Report on Punjab Police Number: +91 7696-181-181 or Email: cad.pphq@punjabpolice.gov.in,” tweeted Yadav from his official Twitter handle, with a hashtag #CitizenFirstPolicing.

The people can register their complaints by calling or sending messages vua WhatsApp on the given number, and the Police officers will take immediate action.

Along with the complaint, the complainant can also provide the audio-video recording as evidence to substantiate their claims. Information can also be given to senior officials via email.

Notably, the Chief Minister had, on March 23 this year, released an anti-corruption helpline number 9501200200 with an aim to completely wipe out corruption from the government offices in the State. Mann had said that strict action would be taken against his Ministers, MLAs, officers, or government employees if found indulging in corrupt practices.

He had said that if someone asks for a bribe or commission, refuse to give it, and instead make a video or record the audio and send it to the anti-corruption helpline number. After this, the Government will get the matter investigated and if the allegations are found true, the accused will not be spared.