The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five railway officials, including Sanjay Tiwari, Deputy Chief Commercial Manager of Western Railway at Churchgate, Mumbai, in a bribery case involving departmental examinations. The arrests, made in Maharashtra and Gujarat, also include two Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officers from the Vadodara Division. The officials are accused of soliciting bribes to favor candidates in an upcoming railway departmental exam.
Acting on a tip-off, the CBI conducted searches at 11 locations, including Vadodara, leading to the seizure of a 650-gram gold bar, approximately Rs.5 lakh in cash, electronic devices, and incriminating documents. The arrested individuals are alleged to have conspired to collect substantial bribes from candidates appearing for the Limited Departmental Examination of Western Railway.
The investigation revealed that the Divisional Personnel Officer of Western Railway directed the compilation of a list of at least 10 candidates willing to pay for favorable results. Sanjay Tiwari, the Deputy Chief Commercial Manager, allegedly collaborated with the Deputy Superintendent in Vadodara and a private individual to contact these candidates and collect bribes. Further, one of the accused reportedly approached a jeweler in Vadodara to purchase around 400 grams of gold without proper invoicing, intending to use it as a medium for the illicit transactions.
The CBI has registered a case against the accused under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code. The agency emphasized its commitment to eradicating corruption within public services and ensuring the integrity of recruitment processes.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in maintaining transparency and fairness within governmental recruitment and promotion systems. The CBI’s swift action serves as a deterrent to those attempting to undermine the system through corrupt practices.
