CBI arrests PF commissioner

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) said on Monday it has arrested three officials of Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) including a regional commissioner on charges of bribery, the investigating agency said.

"The CBI has arrested Durga Prasad, regional provident fund commissioner, Chennai, two enforcement officers of EPFO and four private people in an alleged bribery of around Rs.14.5 lakh," a CBI official told IANS.

Later in a statement, the BI said a case has been registered against the EPFO's regional commissioner, two enforcement officers, a city based group of institutions and the conduit for the bribe.

According to CBI, Prasad had allegedly demanded Rs.25 lakh from a group of institutions as illegal gratification for favouring the group.

The favouring was in the matter of subterfuge of wages for the purpose of provident fund deduction/remittance in respect of the group employees.

The CBI had laid a trap and intercepted the vehicle in which Prasad was travelling soon after collecting the alleged bribe of Rs.14.5 lakh from a conduit.

The CBI has also arrested the estate officer-cum-public relations officer of the group of institutions as the bride was alleged handed over to the conduit by him.

Searches were conducted at the residence and office chamber of the EPFO's regional commissioner and also 18 other places including the premises of conduit which led to recovery of several incriminating documents and property documents.

The searches are still continuing.