In a major anti-corruption operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Praveen Yadav, Branch Manager of Punjab National Bank’s Bhadrauli branch, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹30,000 in exchange for approving solar loan applications under the Prime Minister’s Surya Ghar Scheme. According to investigators, the accused had allegedly demanded a total bribe of ₹52,000 from the complainant. Following his arrest, the bank manager was produced before a competent court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody. The investigation has now been expanded to examine the entire loan approval process and the possible involvement of other individuals.
The CBI said the operation was initiated following a complaint filed by Brijmohan Tyagi, an employee of a private company engaged in processing solar loan applications with various banks. The complainant alleged that he had submitted 19 loan applications under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme at the Bhadrauli branch of Punjab National Bank. According to the complaint, the branch manager demanded ₹7,000 per file for approving the applications. After negotiations, the alleged bribe amount was reportedly settled at ₹52,000.
The complaint further alleged that the branch manager repeatedly pressured the complainant to clear the pending payment and warned that the new loan applications would be rejected if the money was not paid. After receiving the complaint, the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Ghaziabad registered a case, conducted preliminary verification and planned a trap operation after confirming the allegations.
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As part of the operation, the complainant was instructed to visit the bank branch carrying ₹30,000. Before the trap, CBI officials recorded the serial numbers of the currency notes. As soon as the complainant allegedly handed over the money and the accused accepted the cash, the waiting CBI team entered the premises and arrested him red-handed. Local police also reached the spot after learning about the operation, but the entire investigation and arrest were carried out exclusively by the CBI.
Following the arrest, investigators seized documents related to the loan applications, banking records and other relevant files for forensic and documentary examination. The accused was taken to Ghaziabad and produced before the designated court, which sent him to judicial custody for 14 days. The CBI is now examining whether the alleged bribery was part of a larger pattern of corruption and whether any other bank officials or employees were involved in facilitating the alleged illegal transactions.
The case has also triggered scrutiny of loan processing under the PM Surya Ghar Scheme across other banking institutions. Investigators are reviewing approval procedures, banking documentation and administrative records to determine whether similar irregularities may have occurred elsewhere. The probe is expected to focus on compliance with internal banking procedures and accountability mechanisms.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said corruption involving banking services and government welfare schemes requires investigation beyond the recovery of bribe money. According to him, authorities should thoroughly examine the complete decision-making process, digital approval records, document flow, audit trails and the role of every official involved to ensure transparency and accountability. He added that digital verification and systematic oversight are essential to maintaining public trust in financial institutions.
Responding to the incident, Punjab National Bank’s Circle Head stated that the CBI is investigating the complaint filed by the solar panel vendor. He reiterated that the bank maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and irregularities. If any official is found guilty during the investigation, the bank will initiate strict departmental action in accordance with its rules. The CBI said the investigation remains ongoing, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected during the course of the probe.
