Mumbai, Sep 27 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended the Joint Chief Controller of Explosives from the Petroleum & Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO), West Circle Office in Navi Mumbai, along with a private individual in a bribery scandal, recovering a sum of Rs 26 lakh, as confirmed by an official on Saturday.

Rajendra Rawat, the Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, and a private individual named Rahul Bachate were taken into custody following a complaint concerning a Rs 9 lakh bribe, according to the CBI.

On Saturday, both suspects were presented before the Special CBI Court in Thane, which ordered them to be held in CBI custody until October 1.

The CBI's investigation was initiated based on intelligence regarding extensive corrupt practices allegedly carried out by the Joint Chief Controller of Explosives, in collusion with private consultants and agents.

A trap operation was executed based on this information. During the operation, a private individual was apprehended after delivering a package to the accused's residence.

Upon interrogation, the private individual admitted to having delivered a bribe of Rs 9 lakh to the wife of the accused officer, as stated by the CBI.

The bribe amount was retrieved from the premises, together with an additional Rs 7.5 lakh in unaccounted cash, the source of which was not justified, as per the CBI statement.

During further searches at Rawat's office, another agent acknowledged that he had brought Rs 8 lakh intended as illegal gratification. This cash was located in his vehicle, the CBI reported.

Additionally, an architect present at the office confessed to bringing Rs 1.5 lakh as a bribe for another public servant, which was also seized by the agency.

In total, Rs 26 lakh, comprising the delivered bribe and unaccounted cash, was recovered from the residence and office of the accused public servant, along with incriminating documents, including chat logs and lists of PESO applications, the CBI indicated.