The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recommended an independent probe into the functioning of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, citing suspected misuse of official influence and irregularities.The recommendation was made in the chargesheet filed in an alleged Rs 20-lakh bribery case involving Om Parkash Singh Rana, reader to the DGP, Vigilance Bureau, and four others—Vikas Goyal, Raghav Goyal, Ankit Wadhwa and Mohit Devgan.The case began with a complaint by Amit Kumar, State Tax Officer, Malout. The CBI disclosed that a fake complaint against him was prepared using ChatGPT by accused Raghav Goyal. Investigators said seized electronic devices, digital records and witness statements revealed issues beyond the bribery allegations, warranting separate examination.According to the chargesheet, concerns include suspected misuse of influence in police postings and transfers, interference in vigilance proceedings, use of fictitious complaints against public servants, recovery of confidential records from unauthorised persons, questionable financial transactions linked to vigilance matters and irregularities in granting security cover to private individuals. The conduct of certain senior officers also raised questions of propriety and conflict of interest. The CBI noted systemic deficiencies in visitor record management and access control at the Vigilance Bureau.The agency said these matters fell outside the scope of the bribery probe and it had forwarded a detailed report to the competent authority for legal and departmental action. It also found multiple fictitious complaints allegedly used to pressure public servants.In the bribery case, the CBI alleged that intermediaries Vikas and Raghav Goyal facilitated a meeting between Amit Kumar and Rana on April 29, 2026, during which Rana demanded Rs 20 lakh and a mobile handset to settle the matter. A trap was laid in Chandigarh on May 11, leading to the arrest of Ankit Wadhwa, Raghav Goyal and Vikas Goyal. Rana surrendered later after his anticipatory bail plea was rejected.