The anti-corruption wing of the Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a sales officer of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a ₹1 lakh bribe in Nagpur, officials said on Saturday.
The arrest followed a complaint alleging that the officer had demanded illegal gratification to facilitate the handover of a petrol retail outlet, despite all contractual dues and formalities having already been cleared by the outlet owner.
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Complaint triggers verification and trap
According to investigators, the case was registered earlier this month after a written complaint was submitted by the proprietor of an HPCL retail outlet through a family member. The complainant alleged that the sales officer had sought ₹2 lakh to process and expedite the handover of the outlet, even though there were no pending disputes or outstanding payments.
Following the complaint, the CBI conducted a discreet verification to assess the credibility of the allegations. Officials said the verification confirmed that the officer continued to press for the bribe and insisted on payment as a precondition for completing the administrative process.
Partial payment agreed after refusal
During subsequent interactions, the complainant reportedly expressed an inability to pay the full amount demanded. Investigators said the officer then agreed to accept ₹1 lakh as part payment, with the remaining amount to be discussed later.
Based on this development, the CBI laid a trap operation. On the scheduled day, the accused officer allegedly accepted the agreed sum, following which the CBI team intervened and took him into custody at the spot.
Case registered under anti-corruption law
The CBI said the case has been registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, which deal with public servants demanding and accepting illegal gratification. The accused has been placed under arrest and further legal proceedings are underway.
Officials said searches and examination of documents linked to the retail outlet and related administrative processes are being carried out to determine whether similar demands were made in other cases.
Public sector accountability under focus
The incident has once again drawn attention to corruption risks within public sector undertakings, particularly in processes involving licensing, transfers, and operational clearances. Anti-corruption officials said such cases undermine public trust and delay legitimate business operations.
Investigators said the arrest reflects the agency’s continued focus on acting against corruption complaints involving employees of central government departments and public sector enterprises.
CBI appeals to public
The CBI has urged citizens and business operators to report any instances of bribery or illegal demands by employees of central government offices or public sector undertakings. Officials said information received from the public plays a critical role in initiating timely action against corruption.
The agency reiterated that complaints can be made confidentially and that verification is conducted before any enforcement action is taken.
Investigation continues
Officials said further investigation is underway to establish whether the accused officer acted alone or whether there was any wider pattern of misconduct. The agency is also examining whether procedural delays were deliberately created to pressure the complainant.
The case is expected to proceed through the courts in the coming days, with the CBI indicating that it will oppose any attempt to dilute charges related to abuse of official position.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
