New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested four persons, including two public servants — a Sub-Registrar and a Reader posted at the Sub-Registrar Office, Kashmere Gate, Delhi — along with two private individuals, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from a complainant for processing a sale deed.
Complaint Alleges Bribe Demand for Routine Registry
According to the CBI, the arrests were made following a trap operation conducted after the agency registered a case on January 7, 2026 against the accused persons and other unknown individuals. The case was registered on the basis of a complaint alleging corruption, criminal conspiracy and abuse of official position at the Sub-Registrar office.
The complainant alleged that the Sub-Registrar and Reader, in collusion with private middlemen, demanded a bribe of ₹10,000 for providing a sale deed/registry, which is otherwise a routine legal process. The accused allegedly made it clear that the registry work would not be completed unless the illegal gratification was paid.
Threats of Red Seal and MCD Referral
More seriously, the complaint stated that the accused persons threatened coercive action if the demanded amount was not paid. They allegedly warned that the complainant’s documents and sale deed would be objected to by embossing a red seal and subsequently referred to the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), a step that could delay or jeopardise the property transaction.
CBI Verification and Trap Operation
After verifying the allegations, the CBI registered the case under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and provisions relating to criminal conspiracy. Officials said the verification confirmed the role of public servants as well as private individuals acting as facilitators or middlemen.
On January 7, the CBI laid a trap and caught one of the private persons red-handed while demanding and accepting the bribe amount of ₹10,000 from the complainant. The agency said the bribe was accepted on behalf of and in conspiracy with the Sub-Registrar, the Reader, and another private individual.
Four Accused Arrested, Bribe Amount Recovered
Following the successful trap, the CBI conducted further action and arrested all four accused persons — the Sub-Registrar, the Reader and the two private individuals. The bribe amount was recovered, and necessary legal formalities were completed.
In an official statement, the CBI said the arrests were made after establishing that the accused persons were involved in a criminal conspiracy to extract illegal gratification by misusing their official positions and exploiting the complainant’s dependency on the registry process.
Role of Middlemen Under Scrutiny
Officials familiar with the investigation said the role of private individuals as intermediaries is under close scrutiny, as such middlemen often act as a link between public servants and citizens, facilitating corruption while keeping officials at a distance from direct transactions.
Wider Probe Into Registry Office Practices
CBI sources said further investigation is under way to identify other officials or agents who may have been involved in similar practices. The agency is also examining whether the accused persons had demanded bribes from other property buyers and sellers in the past.
The arrested accused are expected to be produced before the competent court, where the CBI may seek appropriate custody for further questioning.
Court Proceedings and Possible Departmental Action
The Revenue Department and the Delhi government have not issued an official response so far. However, sources indicated that departmental action may be initiated against the public servants based on the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
The CBI reiterated its appeal to citizens to report instances of corruption and assured that complaints would be acted upon discreetly and in accordance with the law.
