CBI Launches Probe Against Former Senior Engineer Of Western Railway For Bypassing Rules In ₹12.5 Lakh Alarm System Contract

Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a probe against a former senior section engineer from the Western Railway’s Mahalaxmi workshop, the proprietor of a Pune-based firm electronics firm and an accomplice acting as a middleman for allegedly providing undue favours to the Pune firm to place a purchase order of Rs 12.5 lakh for railway alarm systems by circumventing due procedures.

Sources in the CBI said the railway official had demanded illegal gratification to the tune of 10% of the purchase order value awarded to Pune firm by the railways to supply 190 pieces of passenger alarm indication light system. It was revealed that the proprietor agreed to pay a bribe of Rs 38,000 through a middleman but the railway official demanded Rs1.20 lakh.

After negotiation, it was agreed that the proprietor would transfer Rs 80,000 to the key accused in two instalments (Rs 40,000 each). On February 8, 2024, the section engineer received the first instalment in the bank account of his relative in Andheri (E).

While the Pune firm’s owner transferred Rs 25,000, a relative of the middleman transferred Rs 15,000. A case has been registered in this regard by the CBI on charges of criminal conspiracy, bribing a public servant, taking undue advantage to influence a public servant by corrupt or illegal means under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.