Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau Nabs Four Officials in Separate Bribery Incidents
In a significant crackdown on corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Chhattisgarh has successfully trapped four government officials in two distinct bribery cases within Janjgir district. The operations, conducted on March 20, highlight ongoing efforts to curb illicit practices in public service departments.
Power Company Employees Caught Red-Handed in Transformer Installation Scam
The first case involves three employees of the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company Ltd (CSPDCL), who were apprehended while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000. Those arrested have been identified as Assistant Engineer Vijay Norge, Junior Engineer Rajendra Shukla, and Assistant Grade-1 Devendra Rathore.
According to Bilaspur ACB DSP Ajitesh Singh, the complaint originated from Pradeep Yadav, a resident of Janjgir who sought to establish a fly ash bricks plant in Khokhsa village. Yadav had applied for transformer installation at the local CSPDCL office and had already deposited the required demand note amount. However, the officials allegedly demanded an additional Rs 35,000 to proceed with the installation and meter setup.
After verifying the complaint as genuine, the ACB orchestrated a trap. Yadav was sent to the CSPDCL office with the marked bribe money. Officials reported that he handed Rs 10,000 to Junior Engineer Rajendra Shukla, while Rs 25,000 was given to Devendra Rathore under instructions from Assistant Engineer Vijay Norge. Upon receiving a pre-arranged signal, the ACB team swiftly intervened, catching all three accused in the act. The entire bribe amount of Rs 35,000 was recovered from their possession.
Nagar Panchayat Accountant Arrested in Separate Bribery Case
In a parallel operation on the same day, the ACB arrested Navagarh Nagar Panchayat accountant Prakash Jaiswal for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000. The complaint was filed by Abdul Wahab of Navagarh, whose firm had executed infrastructure and repair works in the Nagar Panchayat area during the 2024-25 financial year.
DSP Singh detailed that Jaiswal had demanded Rs 16,000 for releasing a cheque of approximately Rs 2.03 lakh against a pending bill. The complainant alleged that Jaiswal had already taken Rs 6,000 earlier and was pressuring for the remaining balance. During the ACB's verification process, the amount was negotiated down from Rs 10,000 to Rs 8,000.
The trap was set accordingly, with Jaiswal accepting the Rs 8,000 bribe and placing it in his car. The ACB team subsequently apprehended him near Semra village, recovering the cash from his vehicle.
Legal Actions and Broader Implications
The Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered cases against all accused individuals under Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and has initiated further legal proceedings. These arrests underscore the ACB's vigilant approach to tackling corruption at various levels of administration, from power distribution to local governance.
These incidents serve as a stark reminder of the persistent challenges in eradicating bribery within public sectors. The ACB's proactive measures aim to foster transparency and accountability, ensuring that citizens can access services without undue financial burdens. As investigations continue, authorities emphasize their commitment to upholding integrity in government operations across Chhattisgarh.
