CBI arrests two ED officials in Lucknow in ₹5 lakh bribery case
Synopsis
In a rare instance of an agency investigating its own, the CBI caught two Enforcement Directorate officials red-handed in Lucknow on 23 October 2026, allegedly accepting ₹5 lakh to influence an ED case. The arrests signal that India's top investigative agency is willing to pursue corruption within federal enforcement bodies — a development with implications for accountability across the system.
Key Takeaways
The CBI arrested two ED Lucknow Zone officials — Deepak Kumar (Enforcement Officer) and Manoj Dwivedi (Head Constable) — on 23 October 2026 .
The alleged bribe amount was ₹5 lakh , reportedly demanded to favour a complainant's father in an ED case.
The complainant's father had received summonses from the ED in August and September 2026 .
The CBI laid a trap on the same day the case was registered, catching Dwivedi allegedly red-handed.
Investigation is ongoing; the CBI has not ruled out involvement of additional officials.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 23 October 2026 arrested two officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Lucknow Zone, on allegations of accepting a bribe of ₹5 lakh in exchange for favouring a complainant's father in an ongoing ED case. The arrested officials have been identified as Deepak Kumar, Enforcement Officer, and Manoj Dwivedi, Head Constable, both posted at the ED's Lucknow Zone office.
How the Trap Was Laid
According to the CBI's official press release, the agency registered the case on 23 October 2026 following a complaint that alleged a demand for illegal gratification. The complainant stated that Manoj Dwivedi had allegedly demanded a bribe from the complainant's father, who had reportedly received two summonses from the ED's Lucknow Zone in August and September 2026.
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on the same day. During the operation, Dwivedi was allegedly caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹5,00,000 purportedly on behalf of Enforcement Officer Deepak Kumar, ostensibly to extend favour to the complainant's father in the ED proceedings.
Both Officials Apprehended
Following the trap, the CBI apprehended both accused officials. The agency confirmed that investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged misconduct and to determine whether any other officials were complicit. Neither Deepak Kumar nor Manoj Dwivedi has yet made any public statement on the allegations.
Significance of the Action
The arrests are notable because they involve officials of the ED — itself a federal law enforcement agency tasked with investigating financial crimes and money laundering. Cases of alleged corruption within enforcement agencies are relatively rare in the public domain, and the CBI's swift trap operation underscores its mandate to probe misconduct among public servants regardless of which agency they belong to.
This comes amid broader public and judicial scrutiny of the functioning of federal investigative bodies. Notably, the CBI has in recent years pursued anti-corruption cases spanning police, revenue, and now financial enforcement personnel.
CBI's Appeal to Citizens
The CBI, in its press release, urged citizens who face demands for bribes from public servants to report such incidents promptly to the agency. Officials indicated that the action reinforces accountability within government institutions and signals that no enforcement body is above scrutiny.
Further investigation into the alleged ₹5 lakh bribery case involving Deepak Kumar and Manoj Dwivedi is underway, with the CBI yet to rule out a wider network of involvement.
Point of View
But the deeper question is systemic: how many summonses, like the two sent to the complainant's father, are accompanied by unofficial demands that go unreported? The CBI's public appeal for citizens to report bribe demands is a tacit admission that such incidents are likely underreported. Real accountability will depend on how far the investigation goes — and whether it stops at two junior officials or examines the chain of command.
NationPress
23 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two ED officials arrested by the CBI in Lucknow?
The two arrested officials are Deepak Kumar, an Enforcement Officer, and Manoj Dwivedi, a Head Constable, both posted at the Enforcement Directorate's Lucknow Zone office. They were apprehended by the CBI on 23 October 2026 in connection with an alleged ₹5 lakh bribery case.
What was the alleged bribe for in the Lucknow ED case?
According to the CBI, Manoj Dwivedi allegedly demanded ₹5 lakh from a complainant's father in exchange for extending favour to him in an ED case. The complainant's father had received two summonses from the ED's Lucknow Zone in August and September 2026.
How did the CBI make the arrest?
The CBI registered the case on 23 October 2026 and laid a trap on the same day. Manoj Dwivedi was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting ₹5 lakh, purportedly on behalf of Enforcement Officer Deepak Kumar. Both officials were subsequently apprehended.
Is the CBI's investigation in the Lucknow ED bribery case complete?
No — the investigation is ongoing. The CBI is working to establish the full extent of the alleged misconduct and determine whether any other officials were involved beyond the two already arrested.
What should citizens do if an ED or other government official demands a bribe?
The CBI has urged citizens to report any demands for bribes from public servants to the agency immediately. The Lucknow case was initiated on the basis of such a complaint, which led to a successful trap operation and the arrest of two officials.
