CBI Arrests Railway Engineer, Private Person in Alleged ₹15 Lakh Bribery Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Sunday arrested a Senior Section Engineer of the South Central Railway and a private individual in Vijayawada for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15 lakh. The arrests were made while the two were in the process of receiving the money from a complainant, according to officials.
The accused, identified as Bapiraju, a Senior Section Engineer in the Office of the Chief Signal and Telecommunications Engineer-Projects, and Chandu, a private person, were taken into custody by a CBI team that had laid a trap based on a complaint. The agency has also registered a case against unknown public servants and representatives of a private company in connection with the matter.
The bribe was allegedly sought for releasing a bonus payment related to Automatic Block Signalling works assigned to two joint venture companies in Indian Railways. Officials said the demand for ₹15 lakh was made to facilitate the release of the bonus, and the investigation is in its early stages.
Automatic Block Signalling is a modern railway safety system that uses track circuits to maintain safe distances between trains automatically. This technology allows more trains to run on the same track without compromising safety, and it is being deployed across Indian Railways as part of its modernisation effort. Contracts for such works are substantial and involve strict payment cycles, including incentive or bonus payments for timely completion.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at several locations, including Visakhapatnam, Pithapuram, Vijayawada, and Hyderabad. The searches are aimed at gathering evidence such as contract documents, communication records, and details of financial transactions related to the alleged bribe.
The arrested persons are expected to be produced before the designated CBI court in Vijayawada on Monday. The agency will likely seek their custody for further interrogation to uncover the roles of other persons and any possible larger conspiracy.
The case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deals with offences by public servants, including acceptance of bribes and abetment of such acts. Under the law, the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty, and any punishment would be decided based on evidence presented in court.
Corruption in infrastructure projects, particularly in sectors such as railways, undermines public trust and impedes development. The CBI’s action in this case reflects its mandate to investigate serious corruption, but it also underscores the importance of due process. The investigation will now scrutinise the contractual arrangements, the role of the joint venture companies, and the actions of the railway officials involved, ensuring that all aspects of the alleged transaction are thoroughly examined.
Sources said the bonus payment in question was linked to the completion of certain milestones in the Automatic Block Signalling project. Such payments are meant to incentivise contractors to adhere to schedules. But when delays or omissions artificially trigger or block these payments, it creates opportunities for corrupt demands. The CBI’s probe will determine whether the accused acted in concert to exploit these vulnerabilities for personal gain.
The arrest comes amid heightened scrutiny on corruption in public sector undertakings. The CBI, which investigates cases involving central government employees, has the authority to probe such allegations. It is expected to examine whether the two accused are part of a larger network engaged in similar demands in other railway projects. As the investigation unfolds, the agency is expected to file a chargesheet after collecting sufficient evidence. Further updates are awaited.
