Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior executive of the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), West Zone Office, Mumbai, along with the director of a Kolkata-based private company in connection with an alleged bribery case involving nearly ₹4 lakh.
According to the CBI, the case was registered on July 22, 2026, following allegations that the IRCTC official had entered into a criminal conspiracy with the director of M/s Araha Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. The investigation alleges that the public servant accepted illegal financial benefits in exchange for facilitating the clearance of pending bills submitted by the company.
The agency stated that the accused official allegedly received two separate payments amounting to ₹1,98,500 on April 21, 2026, and ₹2,00,000 on June 8, 2026. Instead of direct cash handovers, the money was allegedly deposited into the official’s Punjab National Bank account by an associate linked to the private company’s director.
During the investigation, CBI officials confronted both accused individuals at the IRCTC West Zone Office in Mumbai regarding the alleged demand and acceptance of a total bribe of ₹3,98,500. Authorities also recovered cash amounting to ₹4,49,500 and ₹13,200 from the possession of the private company’s director during the operation.
Investigators further revealed that incriminating WhatsApp conversations were discovered on the mobile phones of both accused persons. The seized devices, along with relevant documents, bills submitted by the hospitality company, and recovered cash, have been taken into custody as evidence.
Searches were also conducted at the residential premises of both the public servant and the private company director. During these searches, the agency reportedly seized several documents considered relevant to the ongoing investigation.
Both accused were arrested on July 22, 2026, and produced before the Special CBI Court. The court granted police custody until July 27, 2026, to facilitate further investigation into the alleged corruption case.
The CBI stated that the investigation is still underway, and additional evidence will be examined to determine whether more individuals were involved in the alleged conspiracy. The case highlights the agency’s continued efforts to combat corruption and ensure transparency in public sector operations.
