A recent crack by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has led to the arrest of seven individuals, with a public sector undertaking (PSU) official being among them. The reason? An alleged bribe worth Rs 20 lakh intended to steer a Rs 56-crore tender in favor of a Gujarat-based company.
Unfolding the Chain of Events
Key Arrests
The detained include Asish Razdan, the executive secretary to the chairman & MD of BRIL (Bridge and Roof Company India Limited), Hetal Kumar Pravinchandra Rajyaguru, owner of a Rajkot-based private firm, and five others: Shashank Kumar Jain, Somesh Chandra, Veer Thakkar, Rajiv Ranjan, and Tarang Agarwal.
Backstory of the Case
This swift move by the CBI comes in the wake of an FIR lodged a mere two days earlier. Sources pointed the CBI towards a middleman, Jain, from Kolkata, purportedly liaising for BRIL officials. Jain had reportedly rallied his associates, Chandra and Ranjan, to scout for the right party for the EMRS project in Odisha. This search culminated in the introduction of the Rajkot-based firm, H P Rajyaguru.
The Alleged Conspiracy
According to CBI’s spokesperson, an alleged plot was hatched to favorably award the tender for the Eklavya Model Residential School in Odisha to the private firm, H P Rajyaguru. In return, an unknown public servant from BRIL in Kolkata would receive an illegal payment.
Unmasking the Middleman
Bribe Allegations
Jain is under scrutiny for allegedly seeking bribes on behalf of unnamed BRIL officers. These bribes were intended to influence the tender’s allocation and were solicited directly from the Rajkot-based firm’s owner and via another private individual.
Evidence Surfaced
Investigations revealed that the said bribe was earmarked for the executive secretary to the CMD of BRIL. Following these revelations, the CBI conducted raids across various locations, unearthing incriminating documents, digital proof, and cash amounting to approximately Rs 26.6 lakh. The proprietor of the Rajkot-based firm was later presented before the Ahmedabad court and has been remanded to police custody until September 21.
Conclusion
The meticulous intervention by the CBI has unearthed a potentially significant bribery nexus. The arrest of a PSU official, among others, is a testament to the agency’s commitment to uproot corruption at all levels.
