CBI arrests Himachal official for graft

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested a senior official with the Industries Department of Himachal Pradesh for allegedly taking a bribe from a pharmaceutical company owner in Chandigarh.

Tilak Raj Sharma, Joint Director Industries, was caught red handed while accepting Rs 3.5 lakh from an industrialist whose factory is located in the industrial hub Baddi in the hill state, a CBI official told IANS in Chandigarh.

Sharma and his companion, who is also an industrialist in Baddi, allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh from the industrialist for extending "favours" to him by getting the capital subsidy of his unit cleared from the government.

Both were arrested on the complaint of the industrialist, who was not ready to pay the bribe. He reduced the demand to Rs 3.5 lakh.

"The bribe amount was seized and the accused were taken into custody. Search was conducted at the residential premises of both the accused," said the official.

--IANS

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