Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested Syed Munvar Basha, the secretary to the Principal Chief Operations Manager (PCOM) of South Central Railway (SCR), for allegedly orchestrating a bribery-for-posts scam. According to a damning vigilance report submitted by Deputy Chief Vigilance Officer Ch. Rakesh of the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Basha facilitated the appointment of five candidates in exchange for bribes.
The five posts under scrutiny — four traffic inspector roles and one chief controller position — were advertised in 2023. A total of 45 candidates applied, out of which five were selected:
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Koyyada Sajith Goud
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U. Dinesh
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Naresh Kumarnara
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Salivendra Sandeep
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Gadekari Sekhar
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During an internal inquiry, statements were recorded from all five selected candidates between November 8 and 10, 2023. They alleged that Syed Munvar Basha demanded and accepted bribes, with four of them transferring the money through UPI-based digital payments and one via cash.
Digital Money Trail: Bribe Deposits Tracked Through Bank Accounts
The investigation unearthed two State Bank of India accounts through which the bribes were routed — one in Basha’s name and the other in the name of his son, Shaik Sameer Hussain. Notably, the mobile number linked to the son’s account was actively used by Basha, who confessed to operating the account himself.
Here’s a breakdown of bribe payments traced to the accounts:
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Koyyada Sajith Goud: Rs.15,000 on August 28 and another Rs.15,000 on August 31
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U. Dinesh: Rs.10,000 on August 30 and Rs.15,000 on August 31
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Salivendra Sandeep: Rs.10,000 on August 27 and Rs.10,000 on August 30
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Gadekari Sekhar: Rs.30,000 on August 28 and Rs.20,000 on August 30
Vigilance officials analyzed both Basha’s and his son’s account statements from January 2022 to October 2023. Combined, these accounts showed deposits totaling Rs.31,62,500 — Rs.5,82,000 in 2022 and Rs.25,80,000 in 2023 — excluding the bribe transactions linked to candidate selections. This raised serious concerns about unexplained wealth accumulation.
CBI Steps In: Disciplinary Action Initiated
Following the detailed findings in the vigilance report, the CBI has initiated departmental disciplinary action against Syed Munvar Basha and others implicated in the scandal. Sources say additional staff connected to the recruitment process may come under scrutiny as digital forensic analysis continues.
This case highlights a concerning pattern in public sector recruitment, where digital payment platforms have become tools for under-the-table transactions. The use of family bank accounts and systematic cover-ups indicate a premeditated strategy to exploit recruitment processes.
Authorities have emphasized that stringent action will follow, not just against the individuals involved, but also through reforms aimed at tightening recruitment protocols within the railway system.