A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced two postal officials from the Sub Post Office in Kunda, Pratapgarh, on bribery charges, according to an official statement released on Tuesday, 13 October. The verdict follows a case registered nearly five years ago and marks the conclusion of a trial centred on a systematic bribe-collection scheme targeting a commission agent.

Sentences Handed Down

The court delivered its judgment on 12 October, handing differing sentences to the two accused. Suraj Prasad Mishra, a postal assistant, was sentenced to three years of imprisonment and ordered to pay a fine of ₹15,000. Santosh Kumar Saroj, the sub-postmaster, received a comparatively lighter sentence of six months of imprisonment along with a fine of ₹5,000.

How the Bribery Scheme Operated

According to the CBI, the two officials allegedly entered into a criminal conspiracy to extract illegal payments from a commission agent who regularly deposited funds into Recurring Deposit (RD) accounts at the post office. The arrangement, as alleged, was systematic: a fixed bribe of ₹100 was demanded for every ₹20,000 deposited, with the officials reportedly labelling the illicit payment 'Suvidha Kharch' — a euphemism suggesting it was a routine service charge. The officials allegedly threatened to obstruct the agent's transactions and create operational difficulties if the payments were refused.

The CBI laid a trap on 30 November 2019 and caught Mishra red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹1,000 to process a deposit of ₹2,00,040. A charge sheet against both accused was filed on 31 December 2019, and the case proceeded to trial before concluding with Tuesday's conviction.

Separate CBI Action in Bhopal

In a distinct but related development, the CBI on 11 October arrested a senior official of the CGST and Central Excise Department in Bhopal on allegations of accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh from a scrap-dealing company. Rajesh Kumar, superintendent of the Preventive Branch (Headquarters) of the CGST and Central Excise Commissionerate, Bhopal, was reportedly caught red-handed while accepting the alleged payment.

The CBI also seized ₹72.50 lakh in cash from premises linked to Kumar in Bhopal and Kanpur. According to the agency, Kumar had allegedly demanded ₹2 lakh per month from the proprietor of a Bhopal-based firm in exchange for not intercepting the company's vehicles transporting scrap material or obstructing its business operations. The firm's representative had lodged a formal complaint, prompting the CBI to register the case and execute the trap on the same day as the arrest.

Broader Pattern of Anti-Corruption Action

These cases are part of a broader pattern of CBI enforcement targeting mid-level government officials who exploit regulatory or transactional authority to extract systematic payments from private parties. The Pratapgarh conviction is notable for the duration of the legal process — nearly five years from trap to verdict — underscoring the pace at which such cases move through India's special courts. The Bhopal arrest, with its substantial cash seizure, signals continued scrutiny of tax and excise officials in central India.

Both cases are expected to proceed further — the Bhopal matter into charge sheet and trial, while the Pratapgarh convicts may pursue appeals at higher courts.