CBI Conducts Raids at Khudiya Colliery, Detains Two ECL Employees for Bribery
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Synopsis
The CBI arrested two employees of Eastern Coalfields Ltd at Khudiya Colliery in Dhanbad for accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000. The arrests are part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Jharkhand, with multiple cases leading to numerous arrests in recent weeks.
Key Takeaways
- CBI arrests two ECL employees for bribery.
- Bribe amount was Rs 15,000.
- Retiring employee filed complaint.
- Sting operation led to their apprehension.
- Investigation continues, with more arrests possible.
Dhanbad, March 31 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended PF clerk Arvind Kumar Rai and staff member Sheetal Bauri on Monday after they were caught in the act of accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 15,000 at the Eastern Coalfields Ltd’s (ECL) Khudiya Colliery located in Dhanbad’s Mugma Area, as stated by officials.
The pair was reportedly soliciting money in return for processing the provident fund (PF) and gratuity documentation for a retiring employee.
Umesh Prasad Singh, who works in the Electrical Department at Khudiya Colliery, was scheduled to retire on Monday (March 31). As part of his retirement procedures, he had submitted a request for his PF and gratuity.
However, Arvind Kumar Rai, who is tasked with managing PF-related issues in the personnel department, allegedly requested a bribe of Rs 15,000 to expedite his file.
Reluctant to meet the unlawful demand, Singh approached the CBI office in Dhanbad and filed a complaint.
After corroborating the allegations, the CBI formulated a strategy to ensnare the accused.
In a sting operation, Singh arranged to deliver the bribe to Rai on Monday. However, instead of directly accepting the money, Rai instructed his subordinate, Sheetal Bauri, to retrieve it for him.
Singh handed Rs 15,000 to Bauri, who then transferred it to Rai. At that instant, the CBI team, which was closely observing the transaction, intervened and apprehended both individuals on the spot.
Following their arrest, the CBI brought in two additional personnel from the department, Shankar Chauhan and Ajay Kumar Mandal, for questioning at ECL's Mugma Area Guest House.
Investigators also confiscated office documents, a printer, and mobile devices belonging to the suspects as part of the investigation.
This incident contributes to a rising number of bribery-related arrests in Jharkhand. In the last 35 days, nine individuals have been apprehended by state and Central investigative bodies in various corruption cases.
