In a significant ruling that underscores the judiciary’s zero-tolerance stance against corruption in investigative agencies, a Special CBI Court in Bengaluru has sentenced an Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer to three years’ imprisonment for accepting a bribe during an ongoing investigation.
The convicted officer, Chandrashekar D, then working as an Enforcement Officer with the Directorate, was found guilty of demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹20,000 from an individual who was being questioned in a money laundering probe.
The verdict, delivered by Special Judge Preeth J, also includes a fine of ₹25,000 and is based on a complaint filed by the victim in 2012, marking a legal battle that stretched over a decade. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which carried out the probe against its counterpart agency, submitted conclusive evidence, including voice recordings and witness testimonies that established Chandrashekar’s culpability.
CBI Investigation and Conviction
The court observed that the evidence presented by the CBI was “clinching”, including audio recordings that captured the demand for money. The prosecution demonstrated that the bribe was solicited to settle certain procedural hurdles and ensure that the complainant was not harassed in connection with the ED’s case.
Following the sting operation and arrest, the accused officer was placed under suspension and eventually dismissed from service. The case highlights inter-agency accountability, with the CBI investigating a corruption complaint within the ED, an agency itself tasked with probing financial crimes.
Sign of Institutional Accountability
Legal experts consider the conviction significant given the public trust placed in agencies like the ED, particularly amidst their increasing role in politically sensitive and high-value cases. The verdict sends a message that misuse of power, even within elite law enforcement bodies, will be met with legal consequences.
The court also emphasised the need for greater internal vigilance and independent oversight in corruption-prone departments. The judgment reflects a rare but notable instance of successful prosecution of a central officer for bribery, and could trigger similar accountability drives in other regions.
The convicted officer has the right to appeal the decision before the Karnataka High Court.