The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Chintan Raghuvanshi, Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate’s Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, for allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribery from a local mining businessman marking a major embarrassment for the ED.
₹50 Lakh Bribery Deal Exposed
According to sources, Raghuvanshi, a 2013-batch Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer, had demanded a ₹50 lakh bribe from Bhubaneswar-based miner Ratikant Rout alias Julu to dismiss an ongoing ED case against him. The CBI arrested him red-handed while accepting the first installment of ₹20 lakh at his residence in Saheed Nagar.
The bribe demand and final deal were reportedly exposed when Rout tipped off the CBI, prompting them to conduct a trap operation.
Ongoing CBI Investigation
After the arrest, Raghuvanshi was taken to the CBI office in Nayapalli for interrogation. CBI officials are also questioning Rout in connection with the bribery case.
On January 8 this year, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided 14 locations in Bhubaneswar and Dhenkanal, targeting Rout’s business operations. Authorities linked these operations to alleged illegal financial transactions.
Central Agencies on High Alert
The arrest of a senior ED official by the CBI in bribery case has raised serious concerns about internal corruption within central law enforcement agencies. Raghuvanshi is expected to face departmental action and possible prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
About the author – Ayush Chaurasia is a postgraduate student passionate about cybersecurity, threat hunting, and global affairs. He explores the intersection of technology, psychology, national security, and geopolitics through insightful writing.