CBI arrests South Eastern Railway engineer while accepting ₹4 lakh bribe at Howrah station
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK New Delhi, July 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Deputy Chief Signal & Telecommunication…
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
New Delhi, July 25: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Deputy Chief Signal & Telecommunication Engineer of the South Eastern Railway’s Chakradharpur Division and two representatives of a Kolkata-based private company for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹4 lakh.
According to a CBI press release issued on July 25, the agency caught the railway official red-handed during a trap operation at Howrah Railway Station while he was allegedly accepting the illegal gratification from representatives of M/s MRT Signals Ltd., Kolkata.
Case Registered Over Contract Approval Favours
The CBI said it registered the case on July 24 against the railway officer and other accused on allegations that the public servant, in conspiracy with others, had been receiving undue financial benefits from the private company in return for extending official favours.
The alleged favours were linked to the processing and approval of a Contract Variation File relating to the Price Variation Clause (PVC) and other matters concerning signal and telecommunication works being executed under the Chakradharpur Division of South Eastern Railway.
Earlier ₹5 Lakh Bribe Also Alleged
The investigating agency alleged that the railway official had earlier received ₹5 lakh in May 2026 for facilitating the processing of the contract variation file.
According to the CBI, the accused had subsequently demanded and agreed to accept the remaining share of the alleged illegal gratification from representatives of the private company in exchange for extending further official favours.
Searches in Three States
Following the arrests, the CBI carried out searches at the residential and office premises of the accused at multiple locations in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Bihar.
The agency said incriminating documents and digital evidence were recovered and seized during the searches. All accused are being produced before the competent court.
First CBI Trap Case in West Bengal in Several Years
The CBI described the operation as the first trap case relating to bribery in West Bengal in several years, stating that it reflects the agency’s continued efforts to curb corruption and take prompt action against public servants and private individuals involved in corrupt practices.
The investigation is continuing.
