What Led to the Sentencing of a Former Railway Official in Gujarat?
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Synopsis
In a significant ruling, a former railway official in Gujarat has been sentenced to three years in prison for demanding bribes. This case highlights the ongoing battle against corruption within public services. Read on to learn more about the details and implications of this verdict.
Key Takeaways
- Former railway official sentenced to three years for bribery.
- CBI continues its fight against corruption in public sectors.
- Effective use of technology aids in tracking down offenders.
- Accountability in governance is crucial for public trust.
- Fraudulent activities undermine financial systems and agriculture.
Ahmedabad, July 21 (NationPress) A Special CBI court has handed down a sentence of three years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) along with a fine of Rs 1 lakh to a former railway official in Gujarat. This ruling pertains to a case involving the illegal demand and acceptance of a bribe of Rs 5,000.
On Monday, the Special Judge found Harish Kishore Gupta, who previously served as the Divisional Engineer (C) at the DRM Office of the Western Railway in Bhavnagar, guilty of soliciting a bribe from a contractor.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) revealed that Gupta sought the bribe as compensation for issuing a work order valued at Rs 19.91 lakh and for considering an extension for the contractor's project, which was awarded on March 10, 2010.
Gupta was apprehended on July 16 following searches executed at both his residence and workplace.
On July 15, 2010, the CBI initiated the case based on allegations that Gupta had solicited and taken an illegal gratification of Rs 5,000 from the contractor who filed the complaint.
After a thorough investigation, the CBI submitted a chargesheet on June 29, 2011, against Gupta for demanding and accepting illicit payments along with charges of criminal misconduct as a public servant.
In a different case, the CBI apprehended a Proclaimed Offender linked to a Rs 12.63 crore fraud involving Syndicate Bank, which was reported in 2009.
On July 19, Nasreen Taj, the proclaimed offender, was arrested and presented before the Competent Court in Bengaluru, where she was remanded to judicial custody for ongoing trial proceedings. She had been evading capture for nearly seven years.
The CBI tracked down Taj using advanced technological tools and identity databases.
They meticulously reviewed her digital footprint to confirm her current identity and location. Backed by extensive field investigations, the CBI team successfully located Taj in Bengaluru, where she had been living under the alias of Salma.
Taj had intentionally cut off contact with her family and social circles, frequently changing her residence and misleading local residents regarding her true identity. This made tracing her extremely difficult.
Previously, she fraudulently obtained a Temporary Overdraft (TOD) facility of up to Rs 120 lakh and farm loans totaling Rs 55 lakh from Syndicate Bank.
The CBI noted that the funds from these loans were illegally diverted to repay the TOD instead of being used for their intended agricultural development purposes.
Point of View
I believe this ruling is a crucial step towards reinforcing accountability within public services. The CBI's relentless effort to combat corruption is commendable, and it serves as a reminder that unethical practices will not be tolerated. We must continue to support such initiatives to foster transparency and trust in government institutions.
NationPress
21/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the sentence given to the former railway official?
The former railway official was sentenced to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and fined Rs 1 lakh.
What was the nature of the bribery case?
The case involved the former official demanding and accepting illegal gratification of Rs 5,000 from a contractor.
How did the CBI locate the proclaimed offender?
The CBI used advanced technology and identity-tracking databases to locate Nasreen Taj, who was living under a false identity.
What was the fraudulent activity related to Syndicate Bank?
The accused fraudulently availed loans amounting to Rs 175 lakh from Syndicate Bank, diverting funds from agricultural purposes.
Why is this case significant?
This case highlights ongoing efforts to combat corruption in public services, reinforcing the importance of accountability and transparency.
