Did CBI Catch a Military Engineer Demanding a Rs 40,000 Bribe?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
In a shocking case from Himachal Pradesh, a military engineer has been caught in a bribery scandal by the CBI. Allegedly demanding Rs 40,000 to approve pending payments totaling Rs 10 lakh, this incident raises serious questions about corruption in government projects.
Key Takeaways
- The CBI is actively addressing corruption cases within government projects.
- A military engineer was caught demanding a bribe from a contractor.
- The incident underscores the importance of transparency in public service.
- Proper procedures for payment clearances need to be upheld.
- The Prevention of Corruption Act is being enforced to combat such offenses.
Shimla, June 20 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken action against a military engineer in Himachal Pradesh for soliciting a bribe of Rs 40,000 from a private construction contractor. This demand was made in return for the approval of pending payments amounting to Rs 10 lakh, as reported by an official on Friday.
Kulwant Singh Malik, who serves as the Assistant Garrison Engineer (AGE) (Contracts) in Jhakri, Shimla district, allegedly approached Arvind Kumar, the owner of Haryana-based Jupiter Builders, with this request.
On June 18, Arvind Kumar lodged a formal complaint with the CBI ACB in Shimla, claiming that Malik was requesting an unjustifiable bribe of Rs 40,000 in exchange for providing technical clearance for six bills and facilitating the payment of outstanding dues by June 19.
His firm, registered under the Military Engineering Service, was tasked with constructing two guard rooms near Gate No. 2 and Gate No. 3 at Averi Military Station, located in Kullu district.
The projected costs for these projects were Rs 32 lakh and Rs 38 lakh, respectively, and the contract was awarded through an electronic tendering process.
Following the completion of the construction in December 2024, the company submitted final bills totaling approximately Rs 5 lakh each, which remain pending for technical clearance from Malik.
According to established protocols, these bills are supposed to be forwarded to the Chief Works Engineer (Hills) in Dehradun after receiving technical approval from the Garrison Engineer's office.
On June 16, Malik allegedly contacted Kumar and demanded a lump sum of Rs 40,000 for the already technically cleared bills and further processing of the outstanding final bills post-technical clearance.
On Wednesday, Kumar reported the incident to the CBI, which confirmed his claims and compiled a preliminary report.
The CBI's findings stated, ‘The complaint and verification report dated June 18 reveal an offense that is punishable under section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Kulwant Singh Malik, Assistant Garrison Engineer (AGE) (Contracts).’
Point of View
Our commitment is to uphold integrity and transparency. This case serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges of corruption within public sector contracts. It is essential for authorities to ensure accountability and uphold the trust of the citizens.
NationPress
20/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the bribe amount demanded by the military engineer?
The military engineer allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 40,000 from the contractor.
What was the total amount of pending payments involved?
The total pending payments amounted to Rs 10 lakh.
Who filed the complaint against the military engineer?
The complaint was filed by Arvind Kumar, the proprietor of Haryana-based Jupiter Builders.
What actions did the CBI take following the complaint?
The CBI verified the allegations and prepared a preliminary report, confirming the offense under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
What is the role of the Assistant Garrison Engineer?
The Assistant Garrison Engineer is responsible for overseeing contracts and ensuring technical clearances for construction projects.
