The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered three First Information Reports alleging a wide-ranging conspiracy involving officials of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) in Visakhapatnam, intermediaries and applicants across multiple states. The cases, registered on June 16 by the agency’s anti-corruption unit in Visakhapatnam, relate to allegations of bribe payments made in exchange for approvals, inspections and licence-related clearances.
The FIRs name senior PESO officials Jyotirmoy Sarkar, then deputy chief controller of explosives, Susanta Kumar Bhole, controller of explosives, and Jai Nandan Mishra, deputy controller of explosives. Pendyala Varaha Narasimha Murthy has been named in all three cases as a key intermediary who allegedly facilitated payments and acted as a conduit between applicants and officials.
Alleged Bribe Network Linked to Licence Approvals
According to the CBI, senior PESO officials allegedly accepted bribes in the form of cash, gold, bank transfers and even travel-related expenses in return for granting or renewing explosive licences, conducting inspections and processing approvals related to gas tankers, fuel stations and other regulated activities.
In the first FIR, investigators alleged that Sarkar conspired with Murthy to obtain undue advantage from applicants seeking approvals. The agency claimed that more than ₹4.4 lakh was transferred during 2024 to the bank account of Sarkar’s son, Rounak Sarkar, apart from cash payments allegedly received by the accused.
The FIR also alleges that Murthy facilitated a payment of ₹40,000 towards the purchase of an air-conditioner through accounts linked to Vishtown Electronics, a firm registered as Shivay Enterprises in Noida.
Separate FIRs Detail Transactions and Favours
The investigation further refers to SLV Enterprises in Anantapur, represented by Ashok Dalavai, which allegedly arranged flight tickets, hotel accommodation and vehicle facilities for Sarkar and his wife. Sarkar is accused of agreeing to accept ₹1.5 lakh in return for approving the firm’s pending work.
The second FIR names Bhole, Murthy, Nammi Appala Satyanarayana and Nammi Appala Hari Prasad Yadav, among others. According to the CBI, Bhole allegedly used multiple intermediaries to collect bribes through cash payments, gold and digital transfers routed through consultancy-linked accounts.
Investigators alleged that Bhole showed favour in approximately 129 licence-related matters and received about ₹12.8 lakh as illegal gratification. In one instance, intermediaries allegedly purchased gold jewellery worth around ₹9 lakh and delivered it to Bhole. Applicants were allegedly instructed to route payments through designated intermediaries to conceal the transactions.
Third Case Focuses on Licence Renewals
The third FIR alleges that Mishra conspired with Murthy to receive undue advantage in matters related to licence renewals and approvals. Investigators claim that more than ₹3.36 lakh was received through Murthy in connection with approximately 141 works.
The agency alleges that payments were made either in cash or through transfers to the bank account of Mishra’s son, Rahul Jai Nandan Mishra. The FIR cites multiple transactions during 2024 from accounts linked to Murthy, including one instance in which an applicant allegedly confirmed transferring ₹50,000 to the account of a family member of a PESO official.
According to the CBI, the alleged conspiracy was centred on the PESO sub-circle office at Kirlampudi Layout in Visakhapatnam but extended to applicants and transactions across Anantapur, West Godavari, Tirupati and Chirala. The FIRs also refer to bank accounts and individuals linked to other states, highlighting the alleged scale and reach of the irregularities under investigation.
