New Delhi: A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Haryana cadre, currently serving as Regional Director in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has come under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in an alleged ₹3-crore bribery conspiracy linked to efforts to influence an ongoing CBI investigation.
The case has emerged as one of the most significant corruption probes in recent months, with investigators alleging the existence of a broader network involving influence peddling, hawala transactions, intermediaries, and attempts to secure favourable outcomes in a sensitive CBI case.
According to court documents and the FIR registered by the CBI on June 8, the officer allegedly assured businessman N. Raja, a key accused in the multi-crore Puducherry counterfeit medicines case, that he could use his influence within the agency to obtain relief in the investigation.
CBI Registers FIR Under Prevention of Corruption Act
The CBI registered the case under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The FIR includes allegations under:
- Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act
- Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act
- Section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act
- Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act
- Section 51(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Investigators have named several individuals in the case, including:
- Businessman N. Raja
- Former Delhi Police Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh
- Rajkumar
- Prabhat
- The IPS officer serving as DGCA Regional Director
- Other unidentified public servants and private individuals
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Alleged ₹3-Crore Demand for Favourable Relief
According to investigators, meetings relating to the alleged arrangement took place at the Regional Director’s office in Aerocity, New Delhi.
During these interactions, the IPS officer allegedly informed Raja and others that he could secure favourable outcomes in the CBI probe through his personal influence and connections.
The CBI alleges that:
- A total demand of ₹3 crore was made.
- An advance payment of ₹1.5 crore was sought.
- The amount was allegedly intended as illegal gratification for securing relief in the ongoing investigation.
The allegations are currently under investigation and have not been judicially established.
Hawala Network Allegedly Used to Transfer Funds
The FIR states that Raja subsequently arranged ₹1 crore through hawala channels as part of the advance payment.
Investigators claim:
- The money was transferred through a hawala operator.
- Former Crime Branch Inspector Pradeep Kumar Singh allegedly received the amount.
- Singh later handed over ₹50 lakh to Prabhat, who is said to be known to the IPS officer.
- Another ₹25 lakh was allegedly retained by Singh at his residence.
The agency is examining whether additional transfers took place and whether more individuals were involved in handling the funds.
CBI Trap Leads to Recovery of Cash
The alleged bribery arrangement came under scrutiny during a CBI operation conducted on June 8.
During the operation:
- Investigators intercepted the alleged transaction.
- Cash amounting to ₹24.70 lakh was recovered.
- The recovery was made from accused persons Pradeep Kumar Singh and Rajkumar.
The seizure forms an important component of the evidence being examined by investigators.
Court Sees Possibility of Wider Conspiracy
Court observations made while granting custodial interrogation indicate that investigators are probing the possibility of a broader conspiracy extending beyond the individuals already named.
The court noted that police custody was necessary to:
- Identify Other Public Servants
Investigators are attempting to ascertain whether additional government officials were involved in the alleged arrangement.
Trace the Complete Money Trail
Authorities are examining:
- Hawala channels
- Financial transactions
- Beneficiaries of the alleged payments
- Communication records among the accused
Recover Additional Evidence
The court emphasised the need to confront the accused with digital evidence and recover further incriminating material linked to the alleged conspiracy.
Custodial Interrogation Approved
On June 9, Special Judge Sushant Changotra granted one-day police custody of accused Pradeep Kumar Singh and Rajkumar until June 10.
The court observed that further interrogation was necessary to unravel the larger conspiracy and identify all individuals who may have played a role in the alleged corruption network.
Investigators believe that custodial questioning may help establish:
- The exact flow of funds
- The role of intermediaries
- The identities of any unknown public servants
- The intended beneficiaries of the alleged bribe payments
IPS Officer’s Name Recorded in Investigation Documents
Sources familiar with the investigation indicated that the IPS officer’s identity has been mentioned in the observation-cum-recovery memo prepared during the course of the operation.
The agency is reportedly examining:
- Meeting records
- Electronic communication
- Financial links
- Statements of the accused
- Digital evidence recovered during the investigation
The officer has not publicly responded to the allegations so far.
Link to Puducherry Counterfeit Medicine Case
The alleged bribery conspiracy is linked to the wider investigation into the ₹5,000-crore Puducherry counterfeit medicines racket, one of the largest fake pharmaceutical cases uncovered in recent years.
The case involves allegations relating to:
- Manufacturing of counterfeit medicines
- Distribution of spurious drugs
- Financial irregularities
- Attempts to influence investigative proceedings
The CBI has already made multiple arrests and continues to examine the role of public officials and private individuals connected to the case.
Investigation Continues
With the court permitting custodial interrogation and investigators examining a possible larger conspiracy, the probe is expected to focus on:
- The alleged role of the IPS officer
- Identification of additional beneficiaries
- Hawala transactions
- Digital and documentary evidence
- Possible involvement of other public servants
Officials indicated that further action would depend on the findings emerging from ongoing interrogation and forensic examination of financial records.
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