CBI Arrests I&B Ministry Official in ₹10 Lakh Bribery Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Sandeep Choudhary, a Deputy Controller of Accounts serving as Internal Financial Advisor in the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, in an alleged bribery case. The arrest was made on August 18 after the agency registered a case against him following a complaint that he had demanded ₹15 lakh for the expeditious renewal of a contract for a private company.

According to the CBI, Choudhary later agreed to accept a bribe of ₹10 lakh to speed up the processing of the renewal file, which was pending before him. The agency then laid a trap to catch the accused red-handed while he was accepting the bribe through his wife.

“After negotiation, the accused agreed to accept a bribe of ₹10 lakh from the complainant to expeditiously process the renewal file for the private company’s contract, which was pending before him,” the CBI said in a statement. The accused was caught after the bribe amount was accepted through his wife, the agency added.

The arrest is part of the CBI’s ongoing efforts to tackle corruption in government departments. The Deputy Controller of Accounts is a senior position responsible for financial management and advising the ministry on internal financial matters. The role involves overseeing expenditures, auditing financial records, and ensuring compliance with financial rules, making the position sensitive in the context of contractual approvals.

The case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which criminalizes the acceptance of bribes by public servants. Under the law, a public servant found guilty of taking a bribe can face imprisonment for a term ranging from three to seven years, along with a fine. The quantum of punishment depends on the extent of the offence and the discretion of the court.

This development highlights the continued need for vigilance in financial administration within government ministries. While the CBI has not released further details, the investigation is expected to examine whether there were other individuals involved or if the malpractice extended to other contracts handled by the accused.

In an official statement, the CBI confirmed that a case was registered on August 18, based on the complaint, and the accused was arrested on the same day after the trap was sprung. The agency is also conducting searches at relevant locations to gather more evidence.

The accused, Sandeep Choudhary, is a serving officer of the Indian Civil Accounts Organisation, which functions under the Controller General of Accounts in the Ministry of Finance. He was deputed to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting as Internal Financial Advisor, a role that involves scrutinizing financial proposals and ensuring that contracts are renewed in accordance with established procedures.

The swift action by the CBI underscores the importance of accountability in public office. The agency has urged the public to report such incidents, assuring that strict action will be taken against those found guilty of corruption.

The matter is now in the hands of the court, which will determine the legal course. Until then, the presumption of innocence applies to the accused, and it is essential that due process is followed.