New Delhi, February 11: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has apprehended two officials from the Food Corporation of India (FCI) depot in Chandosi, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, for their involvement in a bribery case.
The CBI registered the case on Wednesday following a written complaint from the owner of a private firm. The complainant reported that he had already deposited 16 stacks of rice at the FCI Babraala depot and planned to deposit an additional eight stacks. The depot in-charge allegedly demanded an illegal sum of ₹50,000 for passing the stacks, along with an extra ₹15,000 for each of the remaining eight stacks. The investigation revealed that a manager was also complicit in this scheme.
The CBI conducted a trap operation and caught both officials red-handed while accepting an initial bribe of ₹30,000 from the complainant. This amount was solicited for passing the stacks and facilitating further transactions. Following their arrest, both officials were taken into custody, and the investigation is ongoing. The CBI also conducted searches at the residences of the accused, seizing relevant documents and evidence.
Complaints of corruption frequently arise during the storage and stacking of rice and grains at FCI depots. Bribes are often taken from private millers and transporters to overlook quality checks, pass stacks, or provide other services. In this instance, the bribe was specifically requested for stack passing. According to the CBI, this operation is part of a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.
Numerous historical cases of corruption have surfaced within the FCI, including instances in Punjab and Haryana where thousands of rupees were extorted per truck through syndicates. In recent years, arrests of FCI officials have also occurred in Odisha, Maharashtra, and other states.
The CBI has indicated that further individuals may be implicated in the investigation, prompting continued searches and inquiries. The accused officials have been remanded to judicial custody.
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