CBI arrests General Manager and SDE in Bribery matter

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended a Principal General Manager and an SDE from Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) for accepting a Rs.15,000 bribe.

A complaint was filed against an SDE and a Principal General Manager, both of whom worked for BSNL in Bhopal, alleging that they demanded excessive advantage from the complainant. PGM allegedly issued a chargesheet for departmental disciplinary action to the Complainant, and further actions in the matter were pending.

Further, it also claimed that the Sub-Divisional Engineer (SDE) demanded a bribe of Rs.40,000 from the complainant informing him that the PGM of BSNL had demanded the same bribe in exchange for an amicable settlement of the pending chargesheet in his favour.

It was further claimed that the SDE told the Complainant that if he did not pay the demanded bribe, PGM would take harsh action against him. The SDE further allegedly informed the Complainant that the PGM asked for an initial payment of Rs.15,000 as part of a total bribe of Rs.40,000 with the rest to be paid later.

The CBI set up a trap and apprehended the Principal General Manager while accepting a bribe of Rs.15,000 from the complainant.

CBI searches were conducted at the PGM offices in Bhopal, resulting in the recovery of cash worth Rs.8 lakh (approximately); 240.5 g (approximately) gold and 1915 g (approximately) silver items, as well as incriminating documents.

Later, the SDE, BSNL, was apprehended. During a search of the SDE premises, incriminating documents and a locker key were recovered.

Both arrested accused were brought before the Competent Court in Bhopal and remanded to police custody.

The investigation is still ongoing.