In a swift and coordinated operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday arrested the Branch Manager and a contractual employee of Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank, Durvasha Branch (District – Azamgarh), for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹20,000. The arrests were made after the agency’s Anti-Corruption Unit laid a carefully planned trap, following a verified complaint of bribery.
According to the official press release issued by the CBI, a case was registered on 5 December 2025 against both accused. The complainant alleged that the Branch Manager and his associate had demanded an illegal gratification of ₹25,000 — approximately 10% of the sanctioned Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan amount of ₹2.52 lakh.
Negotiated Bribe Amount and the Trap
Upon initial refusal by the complainant to pay the demanded sum, both accused allegedly negotiated and agreed to accept ₹20,000 as a reduced bribe. Acting on this complaint, the CBI verified the allegations through discreet checks and laid a trap on 6 December 2025.
During the operation, both officials were caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. The agency confirmed that the entire procedure was videographed and properly documented as evidence.
Raids, Seizures, and Further Investigation
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at the bank branch and at the residences of the accused, recovering several suspicious documents, bank registers, and digital evidence. Both arrested individuals are being interrogated, and the agency plans to produce them before a competent court soon.
Sources said the CBI is also probing whether other bank officials were involved in the bribery network or had prior knowledge of the illicit demand.
A CBI spokesperson stated,
“This case reflects how corruption has infiltrated schemes designed for the welfare of farmers. The agency remains committed to ensuring transparency and integrity in all public sector institutions.”
A Crackdown on Corruption in Rural Banking
Experts point out that such cases expose systemic flaws in rural financial institutions, where schemes like the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) — originally intended to provide easy and affordable credit to farmers — are being misused by some officials as tools for illegal income generation.
A senior CBI officer remarked,
“This operation is part of the government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption. Officials exploiting citizens or misusing public welfare schemes for personal gain will face strict legal consequences.”
Wider Implications and Increased Vigilance
Over the past few months, the CBI’s Uttar Pradesh unit has intensified its operations against corruption in cooperative and rural banks, resulting in several arrests. Officials said the agency continues to monitor banking institutions to ensure transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct.
Following this latest action, vigilance advisories are likely to be reinforced across regional banking circles. The arrests, sources say, have sent a strong warning to officials involved in irregularities related to loan processing, credit approvals, and subsidy disbursements.
The CBI, in its statement, further clarified that the trap-related proceedings and legal formalities are underway, and that all relevant evidence will be presented before the court in due course.
