CBI Recovers ₹2.62 Crore Cash, Seizes Multiple Properties From NHIDCL Official in Guwahati Bribery Case

CBI seizes Rs. 2.62 crore cash, multiple properties, luxury cars from NHIDCL officer caught in Guwahati bribery case.

GUWAHAI (India CSR) – In a major crackdown on corruption, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recovered over Rs. 2.62 crore in cash and seized several luxury assets and properties belonging to a senior official of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in Guwahati.

According to CBI officials, the accused — serving as Executive Director and Regional Officer of NHIDCL, Guwahati — was arrested on October 14 while allegedly accepting a Rs. 10 lakh bribe from a private contractor in connection with the extension of time and completion certification for a national highway project in Assam.

Bribe Trap and Massive Asset Haul

The CBI laid a trap after receiving specific information that the NHIDCL officer had demanded a bribe from a contractor for facilitating a favourable extension of time and issuing a completion certificate for the four-laning of NH-37 between Demow and Moran Bypass.

Following his arrest, the agency conducted extensive searches at multiple locations — including the officer’s residence and office in Guwahati, and other premises in Ghaziabad and Imphal. During these operations, officials recovered Rs. 2.62 crore in unaccounted cash and unearthed documents indicating ownership of a vast number of properties across several cities.

The CBI said the searches led to the seizure of documents related to nine premium apartments, one office space, and three residential plots in Delhi-NCR; one apartment and a plot in Bengaluru; four apartments and two plots in Guwahati; and multiple land parcels in Imphal West district. The agency also seized six luxury vehicles, two high-end watches, and a silver bar weighing around 100 grams.

Sources and Investigation Underway

Preliminary investigation suggests that many of the assets were acquired at undervalued prices and may have been registered in the names of family members or associates. The CBI is now tracing the money trail and verifying the ownership documents to determine the sources of the funds used for the acquisitions.

“The assets recovered so far appear to be disproportionate to the known sources of income of the official. The valuation and forensic verification process is underway,” said a CBI spokesperson.

NHIDCL Under Scrutiny

The NHIDCL, a fully government-owned company under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, is responsible for infrastructure development in the North Eastern region and hilly states. The agency’s internal vigilance department has been asked to submit a detailed report on asset declarations and compliance mechanisms of its senior officers.

The CBI has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and produced the accused before a special CBI court in Guwahati, which remanded him to custody.

A Wake-Up Call for the Infrastructure Sector

This case has raised serious concerns about corruption in public works and infrastructure projects. Officials familiar with the investigation said similar audits are being initiated across key highway projects in the Northeast to ensure accountability and transparency.

The CBI’s massive seizure has sent shockwaves through the infrastructure fraternity, highlighting the urgent need for stronger integrity checks and periodic wealth audits for public officials handling high-value government projects.

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