CBI arrests assistant engineer of Postal Department and private person in bribery case

Sambalpur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an Assistant Engineer (Civil), Postal Civil Sub Division, Sambalpur while demanding and accepting bribe of Rs 1.22 lakh for himself as well as another amount of Rs 18,500 as bribe for an Executive Engineer (Civil), Postal Division, Bhubaneswar from the Complainant.

The arrested persons have been identified as Suvasish Pal, the Assistant Engineer, and Debendra Kumar Puhan, the Contractor.

It was alleged that the bribe was demanded for releasing the balance payment of Rs 3.77 lakh towards the AMC Contract given to Complainant. Another Contractor, was also arrested, who received bribe amount of Rs 18,500 from said Assistant Engineer on behalf of the Executive Engineer.

The central agency has registered a case against the accused on the allegations that the Complainant was issued the work order in December-2021 for the work of repair & maintenance of Postal Staff Quarters at New P & T Colony, Rourkela and in pursuance of which, he has completed the works amounting to Rs 19.47 Lakh (approx).

It was further alleged that against the said contract, Rs 1.77 lakh (approx) was withheld for delay in execution and Rs 2 lakh was withheld for test check. For releasing the withheld amount of Rs 3.77 lakh, the Assistant Engineer allegedly demanded bribe of Rs 1.5 Lakh for himself and another Rs 18,500/- for Executive Engineer from Complainant.

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Further, it was also alleged that upon negotiation, the accused agreed to receive the bribe of Rs 1,22,000 for himself and Rs 18,500 for Executive Engineer.

CBI laid a trap and caught the accused for demanding & accepting the said bribe. Searches were conducted at the premises of accused including at Bhubnaswer, Sambalpur, Patna etc which led to the recovery of certain incriminating documents.

The arrested accused will be produced today before the Competent Court at Bhubaneswar.