On allegations of bribery, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an Assistant Engineer (Civil) from the Postal Department and a private individual. The accused were arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs.1.22 lakh and Rs.18,500, respectively. The bribe was demanded for releasing the balance payment of Rs.3.77 lakh towards an Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) given to the complainant.
According to reports, the Complainant was issued the work order in December 2021 for the repair and maintenance of Postal Staff Quarters at New P & T Colony, Rourkela. In pursuance of this, the complainant had completed the works amounting to approximately Rs.19.47 lakh. However, Rs.1.77 lakh was withheld for delay in execution and Rs.2 lakh was withheld for test check. The Assistant Engineer allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs.1.5 lakh for himself and an additional Rs.18,500 for the Executive Engineer to release the withheld amount of Rs.3.77 lakh.
Upon negotiation, the accused agreed to receive a bribe of Rs.1,22,000 for himself and Rs.18,500 for the Executive Engineer. The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting the said bribe. The arrests were made on the spot.
Searches were conducted at the premises of the accused in Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Patna, and other locations, which led to the recovery of certain incriminating documents. The CBI has registered a case against the accused, and they will be produced before the Competent Court in Bhubaneswar.
The arrests of the accused in this case send a strong message to the public that the CBI is committed to eradicating corruption and promoting accountability and transparency in government agencies. The CBI’s efforts to investigate and prosecute bribery cases demonstrate its unwavering commitment to justice and the rule of law.
