The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the branch manager of a public sector bank in Godda district, Jharkhand, on Monday for allegedly demanding bribes totaling Rs 77,000. The accused, identified as Rohit Kumar Singh, was posted at the Dumaria branch of the bank. According to the CBI, Singh demanded Rs 60,000 to process a claim of Rs 2 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) related to the complainant's deceased mother. Additionally, he asked for Rs 17,000 to remove restrictions on withdrawing Rs 35,000 from a bank account that was in the mother's name but transferred to the complainant after her death.
Investigation and Arrest
The CBI registered a case on Sunday and laid a trap to apprehend Singh. On Monday, he was caught red-handed while allegedly accepting the bribe amount. Following the arrest, the agency conducted searches at Singh's office and residence. The CBI stated that further investigation is underway to uncover any other instances of corruption or involvement of other individuals.
Details of the Bribe Demand
The complainant had approached Singh to process the insurance claim under PMJJBY, a government scheme providing life insurance coverage. Singh initially demanded Rs 60,000 for processing the claim. Later, he also sought an additional Rs 17,000 to lift the curb on withdrawal of Rs 35,000 from the deceased mother's account, which had been transferred to the complainant. The total bribe amount demanded was Rs 77,000.
The CBI's swift action highlights its commitment to tackling corruption in public sector banks. The agency has urged the public to report any such demands for bribes or illegal gratification. The arrested manager will be produced before a court, and further legal proceedings are expected.
