In a swift operation that jolted Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested two officials in Dhanbad. The accused, Rajkumar Singh, a clerk, and Ramashray, an operator, were caught red-handed while taking a bribe from a retired employee at the Lodna Colliery office.
The operation stemmed from a complaint lodged by the retired worker, who alleged that the officials demanded money to process his retirement benefits. Acting promptly, the CBI verified the allegations and laid a trap to expose the corruption.
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Caught Red-Handed With Rs 20,000
According to officials, the accused accepted Rs 20,000 in marked notes during the operation. The bribe was intended to secure the release of the complainant’s pending dues. The CBI team moved in quickly, leaving no scope for the accused to evade arrest. Both Singh and Ramashray were immediately detained and transported to the CBI office for questioning.
CBI SP Prahlad Kishore Jha confirmed the development, noting that further action is underway and searches may be conducted to determine whether a larger network of corruption exists within the colliery.
Corruption in Coal Sector Under Spotlight
The arrests once again bring focus on corruption within India’s coal sector, a critical industry often plagued by allegations of bribery and malpractices. BCCL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, plays a vital role in the country’s energy supply. However, incidents like these highlight systemic challenges in ensuring transparency, particularly in matters involving workers’ entitlements.
Experts argue that while individual arrests may deter misconduct temporarily, sustained reforms and stronger oversight are essential to restore trust among employees and retirees.
Next Steps in the Investigation
Officials confirmed that Singh and Ramashray are undergoing interrogation, with investigators probing whether other officials were complicit in similar demands. The CBI has indicated that further searches may follow to uncover deeper irregularities.
For the retired workforce, the case serves as a stark reminder of the hurdles they face in accessing rightful benefits, while also signaling the agency’s intent to crack down on corruption at the grassroots level.