The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested WAPCOS Limited project manager Pankaj Dubey while allegedly accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe for awarding a contract. Contractor Babloo Singh Yadav and three others were also taken into custody. Simultaneous searches in Lucknow, Ghazipur, Deoria and Bhubaneswar uncovered what investigators describe as an organised bribery network linked to public contracts.
According to the probe, the deal was struck to secure a contract worth about ₹11.81 crore for construction of a tamarind processing unit in Rayagada, Odisha. Investigators allege that nearly 13 per cent of the contract value had been fixed as illegal commission. As part of this arrangement, ₹25 lakh in cash was transported from Ghazipur to Lucknow to be handed over to a close associate of the project manager.
The CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch has registered an FIR against eight named accused and several unidentified persons. Those arrested include driver Shubham Kumar Pal, Rajesh Kumar Singh and Rahul Verma, who allegedly facilitated movement and distribution of the cash. Officials said the bribe payments were structured in stages and linked to different milestones of the contract process.
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Illegal investments routed through brother
The investigation revealed that Dubey’s brother, Pawan Dubey, allegedly helped channel illicit earnings into land purchases and construction activities in Deoria. Documents recovered during searches indicate assets disproportionate to known sources of income. Rahul Verma is suspected to have managed cash transactions and collections from contractors, while middleman Gopal Mishra allegedly arranged contractor meetings and negotiations.
Sources said a “rate card” was in operation for extracting bribes — 4 to 6 per cent for securing tenders, 4 per cent for issuance of the Letter of Acceptance (LoA), and 3 per cent for clearing bills. Another associate, Abhishek Thakur, allegedly negotiated directly with contractors, while others handled collection and delivery of cash.
Hawala angle under scanner
Besides cash, investigators recovered transaction records and a marker note, raising suspicion that larger sums may have been routed through hawala channels. Bank accounts, digital data and property records are being analysed to trace the money trail.
Multi-state searches and asset evaluation
Searches were conducted at four premises in Lucknow and at residential locations in Ghazipur and Deoria, along with office premises in Bhubaneswar. The agency is assessing movable and immovable assets of the accused and comparing them with declared income. Preliminary findings suggest similar commission demands in other contracts, which could lead to charges of criminal conspiracy and possession of disproportionate assets.
The arrested accused will be produced before a special court for custodial remand. Investigators indicated that further arrests are likely as the role of additional beneficiaries in the alleged network comes to light.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
