CBI raids Cantonment Board office, arrests Junior Engineer and Meter Reader for bribery

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) raided the Cantonment Board office late Tuesday night, leading to the arrest of Junior Engineer (JE) Amit and Meter Reader Vijay Kumar. Vijay Kumar was caught red-handed accepting a bribe of ₹10,000, allegedly as part of a corrupt scheme involving the award of government contracts. The CBI's Anti-Corruption team also conducted a detailed search of both the Cantonment Board office and JE Amit's residence, gathering crucial evidence tied to ongoing investigations into financial misconduct.

The raid follows a broader CBI inquiry initiated on September 6 into a multi-crore tender scam that has rocked the Cantonment Board. This scam allegedly involved the manipulation of tender processes for public works, with contractors being forced to pay bribes to secure government contracts. Sources indicate that several high-ranking officials within the Board are being investigated for their involvement in inflating tender amounts and accepting kickbacks. The CBI's action is part of an ongoing effort to clamp down on widespread corruption within government bodies responsible for infrastructure and development projects.

According to CBI officials, the raid was triggered by a formal complaint filed by a contractor who exposed the demand for bribes in exchange for the allocation of tenders. Acting swiftly on this information, the CBI organized a sting operation to apprehend those involved. The contractor worked in coordination with the CBI to set up the trap, leading to the arrest of Vijay Kumar, who was caught receiving the bribe in real-time. JE Amit, who is believed to be a key player in the scam, was also arrested following searches of his property, where additional documents and evidence were seized.

During the raid, the CBI team meticulously searched for incriminating documents, financial records, and digital evidence that could provide further insight into the scope of the corruption. Eyewitnesses reported that the operation was conducted under tight security, with local police kept away to ensure no interference. The CBI team questioned several other Board employees as part of their investigation, gathering testimonies that could lead to more arrests. It is believed that the bribery racket within the Cantonment Board may involve more officials and could point to a larger network of corruption.

The investigation into the multi-crore tender scam is ongoing, with the CBI focusing on uncovering the full extent of the corruption within the Board. Sources indicate that this could lead to further raids and arrests, as evidence mounts against other individuals suspected of being involved. The CBI's focus is not only on the bribe-takers but also on those who facilitated the manipulation of tenders and contracts, potentially implicating contractors and intermediaries as well.