CBI arrests Bank of Baroda branch manager, credit officer in ₹45,000 bribe case
Synopsis
Two Bank of Baroda officials in Sultanpur, UP, were arrested by the CBI for allegedly extorting ₹45,000 from a borrower who had already been sanctioned a ₹5 lakh government loan — but whose overdraft funds were being held hostage. The case exposes a systemic vulnerability: branch-level officials wielding disproportionate power over last-mile disbursement of welfare scheme funds.
Key Takeaways
The CBI arrested Swarnim Srivastava (Branch Manager) and Pushpak Chaudhary (Credit Officer) of Bank of Baroda 's Koireepur branch , Sultanpur, UP , on 15 July 2025 .
The duo allegedly demanded ₹45,000 as a bribe to release the overdraft component of a ₹5 lakh loan sanctioned under the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana .
During a CBI trap on 14 July , Chaudhary was caught allegedly accepting ₹35,000 from the complainant.
Both accused were produced before a court in Lucknow ; investigation is ongoing.
Earlier in July 2025 , the CBI had also arrested an NHAI Project Director in Shillong for allegedly seeking a ₹12 lakh bribe on a ₹13.38 crore bill.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 15 July 2025 arrested Swarnim Srivastava, Branch Manager, and Pushpak Chaudhary, Credit Officer, of Bank of Baroda's Koireepur branch in Sultanpur district, Uttar Pradesh, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a loan beneficiary. The arrests followed a CBI trap operation conducted on 14 July, a day after the agency registered the case based on a formal complaint.
What the Complaint Alleged
The complainant had been sanctioned a ₹5 lakh loan under the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana at the Koireepur branch. While the term loan component had already been disbursed, the overdraft facility — part of the same sanctioned package — remained unreleased. According to the CBI, both officials allegedly demanded ₹45,000 as an undue advantage in exchange for facilitating the release of the overdraft component.
How the Trap Was Laid
Following verification of the complaint, the CBI registered a case on 13 July and mounted a trap operation the following day. During the operation, Chaudhary was allegedly caught accepting ₹35,000 from the complainant. The agency claimed the money was received in conspiracy with and at the behest of Srivastava, the Branch Manager. Both officials were subsequently taken into custody and formally arrested.
Court Production and Investigation Status
The two accused were produced before a competent court in Lucknow following their arrest. The CBI has stated that further investigation into the case is ongoing. The Koireepur branch serves beneficiaries of government-backed loan schemes, making the alleged extortion particularly significant — the complainant was seeking funds they had already been sanctioned.
Part of a Broader CBI Anti-Corruption Drive
This arrest is not an isolated action. In the first week of July 2025, the CBI had arrested the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in Shillong, along with two private individuals, for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹12 lakh to process an outstanding bill worth ₹13.38 crore. In that case, the accused public servant had reportedly instructed the complainant to pay ₹4 lakh in advance. Together, the two cases reflect a pattern of CBI action against mid-level government and public-sector officials exploiting their gatekeeping roles over beneficiary disbursements.
With the Sultanpur arrests, the agency has signalled continued scrutiny of branch-level banking officials handling government scheme funds — a segment where beneficiary complaints have historically gone unaddressed.
Point of View
But reactive enforcement cannot substitute for structural fixes: real-time disbursement tracking, beneficiary grievance hotlines with teeth, and mandatory audit trails for delayed overdraft releases. Until those exist, the ₹45,000 bribe will remain a feature, not a bug, of scheme delivery.
NationPress
15 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has the CBI arrested in the Bank of Baroda bribery case?
The CBI arrested Swarnim Srivastava , Branch Manager, and Pushpak Chaudhary , Credit Officer, of Bank of Baroda 's Koireepur branch in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, on 15 July 2025 for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a loan beneficiary.
What bribe amount was allegedly demanded and why?
The two officials allegedly demanded ₹45,000 from the complainant to release the overdraft component of a ₹5 lakh loan already sanctioned under the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana. The term loan had been disbursed, but the overdraft facility was being withheld pending the alleged payment.
How did the CBI catch the accused?
After registering a case on 13 July based on a formal complaint, the CBI laid a trap on 14 July. Credit Officer Pushpak Chaudhary was allegedly caught in the act of accepting ₹35,000 from the complainant. The agency claims the transaction was carried out in conspiracy with Branch Manager Swarnim Srivastava.
What is the Chief Minister Yuva Udyami Yojana?
It is a government-backed loan scheme in Uttar Pradesh designed to support young entrepreneurs. Beneficiaries receive a sanctioned loan package that typically includes a term loan and an overdraft facility, both intended to help them start or expand a business.
Is this part of a wider CBI anti-corruption operation?
Yes. Earlier in July 2025, the CBI arrested an NHAI Project Director in Shillong and two private individuals for allegedly demanding a ₹12 lakh bribe to clear an outstanding bill of ₹13.38 crore . The two cases together indicate an active CBI focus on mid-level public-sector officials exploiting disbursement and approval powers.
