A special court dealing with cases of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday, December 22, 2025, sentenced a serving railway official to four years’ rigorous imprisonment in a bribery case involving illegal gratification for parcel operations at a major railway station.
The CBI Court, Ghaziabad, convicted Rajneesh Chahar, who was posted as Chief Parcel Supervisor at Agra Fort Railway Station under the North Central Railway, and also imposed a fine of ₹10,000 on him.
Bribe Demanded for Smooth Parcel Operations
According to the prosecution, the case was registered by the CBI on January 1, 2016, after it received a complaint alleging corruption by the accused public servant.
While holding the post of Chief Parcel Supervisor, Rajneesh Chahar allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹6,000 per monthfrom an authorised private parcel operator. In return, he assured smooth loading and unloading of parcels in the Awadh Express at Agra Fort Railway Station.
The prosecution said the bribe demand was a condition imposed by the accused for allowing routine commercial parcel operations without obstruction.
Trap Laid, Accused Caught Red-Handed
Acting swiftly on the complaint, the CBI organised a trap operation on January 1, 2016. During the operation, Rajneesh Chahar was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting ₹6,000 as illegal gratification.
The recovery of the bribe amount was made in the presence of independent witnesses, and all procedural requirements were followed in accordance with law, the agency stated.
Chargesheet and Trial Proceedings
After completing the investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on February 26, 2016 against the accused. The trial court framed charges on March 16, 2016, following which the matter proceeded to full trial.
During the course of the trial, the prosecution examined witnesses, produced documentary evidence and relied on trap proceedings to establish the demand and acceptance of bribe by the accused.
Court’s Findings and Verdict
After evaluating the evidence on record, the court concluded that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The court convicted Rajneesh Chahar and sentenced him to four years’ rigorous imprisonment, along with a fine of ₹10,000, under the relevant provisions of anti-corruption law.
Significance of the Judgment
Legal observers say the verdict reinforces the zero-tolerance approach towards corruption in public services, particularly in operational roles that directly impact commercial and passenger activities.
The judgment once again underscores the judiciary’s consistent position that demand and acceptance of bribe by public servants will attract strict penal consequences, irrespective of their rank or department.
CBI officials said the conviction reflects the agency’s continued commitment to rooting out corruption within government departments, including critical public utilities such as the Indian Railways.
