New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has apprehended a Deputy Controller of Accounts serving as an Independent Financial Advisor in the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. The officer, identified as Sandeep Choudhary from the 2020 batch of the Indian Civil Accounts Service, was caught red-handed during an operation conducted by the anti-corruption agency.
The action followed a formal complaint registered on August 18 alleging that the public servant had demanded an illegal gratification of Rs 15 lakh from a private vendor. The bribe was allegedly sought to expeditiously process and clear a contract renewal file belonging to the complainant’s company, which had been pending clearance before the officer’s desk.
Following negotiations between the parties, the accused agreed to reduce the demanded amount and accept a sum of Rs 10 lakh. Upon verifying the complaint, the central investigating agency laid a coordinated trap and caught the official accepting the agreed bribe amount through his wife.
Investigators subsequently conducted searches at the officer’s administrative premises and seized relevant official files connected to the case. The accused official has been detained, and further investigation is currently under way to examine related procedural records and ascertain any wider involvement.
