The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken major action at the DRM office of the Samastipur Railway Division in Bihar, arresting a railway official while allegedly accepting a bribe. The CBI team caught Arun Kumar Mandal, posted as Assistant Personnel Officer (APO-2) in the Personnel Department of the Samastipur Railway Division, while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹50,000. The officer has been accused of demanding ₹1 lakh from a railway employee in connection with a transfer and posting matter.
According to CBI officials, the action was carried out following a complaint submitted by railway dealing clerk Amrit Raj. The complainant alleged that the Assistant Personnel Officer had demanded money for processing a transfer and posting-related request. The complaint was reportedly filed with the CBI around 45 days ago, following which the agency conducted a preliminary verification and planned the operation after examining the allegations.
A nine-member CBI team reached the Samastipur DRM office on Wednesday and launched the operation. The team questioned officials and employees connected with the matter before executing the trap. The accused officer was allegedly caught accepting the bribe amount during the planned operation. The action continued for several hours, with officials conducting searches and questioning inside the office premises.
After the arrest, the CBI team also searched the official residence of Arun Kumar Mandal. During the search, investigators reportedly recovered an unlicensed pistol, two magazines and nine live cartridges. Since no valid documents related to the weapon and ammunition were found, the matter was treated as a separate criminal offence and information was shared with the local police.
An FIR under the Arms Act has been registered at Nagar Police Station on the basis of an application submitted by CBI ASI Sunil Kumar Singh regarding the recovery of the firearm and ammunition. Police and investigation agencies are now examining how the weapon came into the possession of the officer and whether it was being used for any unlawful purpose.
CBI officials are currently questioning Arun Kumar Mandal in connection with the bribery case. The complainant, dealing clerk Amrit Raj, has also been questioned by the investigating team. The agency is trying to determine whether the alleged demand for money was limited to a single case or whether similar activities had been taking place in the department over a longer period.
The investigation agency is also likely to examine the officer’s bank accounts, assets and other financial transactions. Officials are looking into whether any irregularities were committed in other transfer and posting-related matters and whether more people were involved in the alleged wrongdoing.
The CBI action has created concern within the railway administration. East Central Railway (ECR) Chief Public Relations Officer Saraswati Chandra said that the railway authorities had not yet received any official report or communication from the CBI regarding the matter. Further departmental action will be considered after receiving the official report.
CBI officials said that the investigation is still underway and further action will be taken based on evidence collected during searches, statements recorded from individuals and financial scrutiny. The agency is also examining whether the alleged bribery case was an isolated incident involving one officer or part of a wider network. Further revelations are expected as the investigation progresses.
