Solan: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team on Wednesday arrested three individuals, including the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and an Enforcement Officer of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EPFO), along with a private consultant, in connection with a bribery case.
The arrests were made following allegations that the Enforcement Officer, with the assistance of the private consultant, had demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 10 lakh to settle a provident fund dispute. The bribe was purportedly meant to be shared among the officer and senior EPFO officials to resolve an outstanding provident fund demand against the complainant’s company. The accused reportedly threatened the complainant with a recovery demand of Rs 45-50 lakh if the bribe was not paid.
The CBI registered the case on November 24 and conducted a trap operation, during which they apprehended the private consultant while accepting the bribe. The seized amount included Rs 5 lakh in cash and self-cheques worth an additional Rs 5 lakh.
Further investigation revealed evidence implicating the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner. Following their arrests, all three individuals were presented before the Special Judge for CBI Cases in Shimla. Searches at their residences and offices in Baddi, Shimla, and Chandigarh led to the discovery of approximately Rs 23.5 lakh in cash and several incriminating documents at the Commissioner’s office in Chandigarh. The case has been registered, and the investigation is going on.
