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The Anti Corruption Branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has carried out a very big and sensational action at midnight in Ranchi and Dhanbad, the two most prominent and strategically important cities of Jharkhand. In this action taken under the Central Government’s zero tolerance policy against corruption, the CBI team has arrested three high-ranking officials associated with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) red-handed on charges of demanding bribe from a constable of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). This sudden raid has created a huge panic not only in the local administrative department but also in the security forces and the concerned departments of the Home Ministry. Different CBI teams raided several locations in Ranchi and Dhanbad simultaneously, recovered the bribe amount and arrested the accused and have started further legal process.
CBI’s midnight action and the whole truth of the incident
This action of CBI is being considered a big example to curb the ongoing corruption in the government machinery and security establishments in Jharkhand. CBI’s Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) in Dhanbad and Ranchi has been receiving complaints for a long time that some officers are misusing their position and exploiting lower level employees and jawans. In this series, a victim constable of CISF had lodged a written complaint with CBI that three officers associated with the administrative work of Home Ministry and CISF were demanding huge bribe in the name of their departmental matters, disposal of service book and favorable posting/verification. In the initial confidential investigation of the complaint, the CBI found that the allegations were completely true and serious in nature, following which a special trap team was formed under the guidance of senior CBI officials.
CISF constable’s bribery case: how the trap was laid
Based on the complaint of the victim constable, the CBI team laid a very clever and sure shot trap to catch the accused red handed. According to the decided strategy, the victim constable was given Indian currency (notes with phenolphthalein powder) laced with chemicals and sent to the hideout told by the accused. As soon as the CISF constable reached the border area or designated place of Ranchi and Dhanbad and handed over the bribe amount to the officials, the CBI team, already dressed in plain clothes, immediately attacked. CBI officials caught the three officers red-handed on the spot and collected irrefutable evidence of taking bribe by washing their hands in chemical solution. As soon as the color of the solution turned pink, it was scientifically proven that the bribe amount had been accepted by these officials.
Rapid raids and seizure of documents in Ranchi and Dhanbad.
Immediately after the arrest, several CBI teams simultaneously started raids on government offices, private residences and possible hideouts of the accused located in Ranchi and Dhanbad. This raid started late at night and continued till the next morning. During the raid, CBI seized many important and sensitive documents. According to initial information, documents of benami properties, passbooks of bank accounts, several digital devices (laptops and mobiles) and huge amount of cash have been recovered from the premises of the accused. The CBI is now carrying out a thorough investigation to find out whether these officers had earlier also extorted bribes from other CISF personnel or common citizens through similar intimidation or stalling of work.
Stir in Home Ministry and security apparatus: Zero tolerance on corruption
Serious questions have been raised in administrative circles as the names of disciplined paramilitary forces like CISF and officials associated with the Home Ministry have surfaced in this serious case of bribery. CISF is deployed in the security of important industrial establishments, airports, nuclear plants and coal mines of the country, hence the exposure of this type of corruption in its internal administrative system is also a matter of concern for the security system. However, this prompt and fair action by CBI has sent a clear message that no matter how influential or high position a person involved in corruption is, he cannot escape the long arm of the law. Taking strict cognizance of this matter, the Home Ministry has also indicated to take strict departmental action against the concerned officials.
Accused in the grip of law: Preparation for court appearance and remand.
The three officers caught red-handed have been arrested under serious sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI team has conducted medical examination of the accused after completing all the legal formalities in the offices located in Dhanbad and Ranchi. After this, CBI is going to present them in the Special CBI Court located in Dhanbad. CBI lawyers say that they will demand police custody remand of the accused from the court so that the whole truth about the involvement of other wires, middlemen and high officials related to this bribery syndicate can be brought out. As the investigation of this case progresses, there is a strong possibility of many more big names coming forward.