CBI has arrested the executive director of Rourkela Steel plant for allegedly taking bribe of Rs one lakh from a contractor.
CBI sources said B P Verma, Executive Director (Works) allegedly asked a company, Vesuvius India Limited, to oblige him with bribe as he "went out of the way" to hand over work orders worth crores.
The company official V K Singh decided to given the Executive Director a costly watch and Rs one lakh as he felt that Verma was soon going to become the CEO and might harm its future prospects, the sources said.
The meeting was scheduled yesterday in Rourkela about which the CBI got an input and carried out a raid at the venue, the sources said.
During the raid, the bribe amount and the watch was recovered by the team, they said.
The agency later carried out searches at the residence and office of Verma during which Rs 20 lakh was recovered in new currency.
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CBI spokesperson R K Gaur today said here a case of criminal conspiracy under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act has been registered.
"It was alleged that the ED (Works), Rourkela Steel Plant, entered into criminal conspiracy with the said private persons as well as others in the award of supply orders of electrical, electronics, electro-mechanical machineries and parts to Rourkela Steel Plant in favour of manufacturers," he said.
Gaur said the official was allegedly getting bribe in cash and kind for smooth execution of those contracts in violation of rules.
"It was further alleged that ED (Works) demanded gratification from the company through said two persons of a private firm as he had sanctioned work order in the 'AMR Cell' matter in favour of their company while working as in-charge CEO of Rourkela Steel Plant," he said.
Gaur said after registration of the case, CBI laid a trap and arrested the Executive Director and private person at Rourkela when the bribe amount of Rs 1 lakh and a watch was given to the accused at his residence.
"Searches were conducted at nine places including at Rourkela, Hazaribagh, Ranchi, Bokaro and Kolkata on the premises of the accused persons which led to recovery of incriminating documents. During house search of Executive Director, cash amount of Rs 20 lakh (Approx.) in new currency notes was recovered," he said.
