CBI arrests three for Rs 10 Lakh bribe involving EPFO officials in Himachal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested three individuals, including the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner and an Enforcement Officer of the Employees Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) in Baddi, Solan (HP), along with a private consultant, on Wednesday. They were caught accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh (Rs 5 lakh in cash and Rs 5 lakh via self-cheques) from the complainant.

According to a CBI spokesperson, a case was registered on November 24 against the two EPFO officials in Baddi for allegedly demanding Rs 10 lakh through a private consultant. This amount was requested to settle pending dues of around Rs 45 lakh related to the provident fund of the complainant’s company.

Following the complaint, the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations, including Shimla, Solan, and Baddi, as well as at the residences of the accused. During these searches, approximately Rs 23.5 lakh in cash, along with incriminating documents, was recovered from the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner’s office in Chandigarh.

A trap was set, and the private consultant was caught while receiving the bribe of Rs 10 lakh on behalf of the EPFO officials. All three accused were arrested and subsequently presented before the CBI court in Shimla on Wednesday.