Chandigarh, April 26 -- The Punjab Vigilance Bureau's April 7 surprise inspections at regional transport authority (RTA) offices and driving test centres across the state opened a Pandora's Box unravelling rampant corruption allegedly involving officials and their intermediaries (agents) charging illegal fees to expedite driving licence processing or manipulate driving test results.

The raids led to the arrest of several people allegedly involved in bribery and malpractices.

It was found that many licences were being issued without proper driving tests, through agents who were taking bribes from applicants. A total of 16 FIRs were registered and 24 people were arrested, including private agents and some government staff. The agents and ...