New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India, Shillong, along with two private individuals for allegedly demanding a ₹12 lakh bribe to clear a contractor’s pending bill of ₹13.38 crore. The accused have been identified as Aanand Singh Chouhan, Project Director, NHAI, Shillong, and private individuals Punit Agarwal and Manish Agarwal.
CBI Registers Case After Contractor’s Complaint
According to the CBI, the case was registered on July 1 following a complaint filed by a contractor.
The complaint alleged that Chouhan demanded illegal gratification of ₹12 lakh in exchange for processing and releasing the contractor’s outstanding payment of ₹13.38 crore.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
The investigating agency alleged that the accused official instructed the complainant to first pay ₹4 lakh as an advance.
₹4 Lakh Advance Payment Under Probe
The complainant was allegedly directed to hand over the money to a private individual in Guwahati. During the investigation, it also emerged that the individual further instructed the complainant to deliver the money to another person in the city.
After verifying the complaint, the CBI laid a trap. According to the agency, one of the private individuals was caught red-handed while allegedly demanding and accepting the ₹4 lakh bribe from the complainant.
Following the trap operation, the CBI arrested Project Director Aanand Singh Chouhan along with the two private individuals.
Searches Conducted At Multiple Locations
The agency subsequently conducted searches at the premises of all three accused. Documents and other materials recovered during the searches are being examined to establish the alleged bribery network and trace financial transactions connected to the case.
Investigators are also examining whether any other individuals were involved in the alleged conspiracy.
The CBI said it is analysing the available evidence relating to the alleged demand and acceptance of the bribe. Seized documents, digital records and other materials will undergo examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The case comes at a time when transparency and accountability in public infrastructure projects are under increased scrutiny. The CBI said further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected.
