The Central Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Guwahati has arrested Aananad Singh Chauhan, Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India’s Shillong PIU, for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹12 lakh from a contractor to process an outstanding bill.
Bribe Allegedly Sought for Pending Bill
According to an FIR filed with the Deputy Inspector General of Police, CBI, ACB, Guwahati, Chauhan allegedly demanded a bribe or undue advantage of ₹12 lakh from a contractor for processing an outstanding bill of ₹13.38 crore.
The FIR alleged that Chauhan also instructed the contractor to pay ₹4 lakh in advance for processing the pending bill. The complaint further claimed that the contractor was directed to hand over the bribe money to a person identified as Punit in Guwahati.
WhatsApp Message and Hawala Claim in FIR
The FIR further alleged that the NHAI officer sent an image of a ₹10 note bearing serial number 74R394426 from his mobile phone to the contractor through WhatsApp. The message allegedly carried directions to send the entire bribe amount of ₹12 lakh to Jaipur through the hawala channel.
Chauhan also allegedly provided a contact number and named a person identified as “Meena” as the contact in Jaipur to receive the bribe amount through the alleged hawala channel.
Two Accused Sent to CBI Remand
According to media reports cited in the case details, two accused have been arrested in connection with the matter. They have been sent to two-day CBI remand for further investigation.
The case is being investigated by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Guwahati, which is examining the allegations linked to the processing of the outstanding contractor bill and the alleged movement of the bribe amount.
