Bengaluru– A special court in Bengaluru has handed down a sentence to Lalit Bajaj, who once served with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) a key agency combating financial crime. Bajaj was found guilty of extorting ₹5 lakh from a businessman. The court not only sentenced him to three years of rigorous imprisonment but also imposed a fine of ₹5.5 lakh.
The Allegations: Threats and Extortion
The case against Bajaj, which dates back to June 2021, began when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) initiated proceedings against him. The core of the accusation was that Bajaj, while on deputation to the ED and part of a team investigating “loan app” related money laundering cases, leveraged his position to threaten a businessman. He allegedly warned the individual of legal trouble that could severely damage their business and reputation, demanding a 5 lakh rupee bribe in exchange for protection from these potential actions. At the time of the alleged crime, Bajaj was specifically working with the ED’s Bengaluru team, collaborating with Hyderabad Cyber Police on complex financial investigations.
From ED to CBI: An Internal Investigation
Initially, the Enforcement Directorate itself was involved in the investigation related to the loan app scam. However, the specific allegations of bribery against Bajaj were later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The CBI’s subsequent probe meticulously examined the claims, ultimately confirming the veracity of the charges against Bajaj.
The Verdict: Prison Time and a Hefty Fine
The special court in Bengaluru delivered a firm verdict, convicting Bajaj of illegal demand and acceptance of a bribe from a private complainant. In addition to the three-year prison sentence, the court ordered him to pay a fine of 5.5 lakh rupees.