The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested three individuals, including a Chief Engineer, an Executive Engineer from the Public Works Department (PWD), Government of Puducherry, and a private contractor associated with the PWD. The arrests took place immediately after the accused were caught exchanging a partial bribe amount of ₹2 lakh. Following the operation, the CBI also recovered ₹73 lakh in cash during searches at various locations.
The CBI registered a case on March 22, 2025, against the arrested individuals and some unidentified persons based on allegations of bribery. According to the complaint, the Executive Engineer, who was overseeing road construction projects in Karaikal, allegedly demanded a bribe from the contractor. The contractor had undertaken a road project with a total tender estimate of ₹7.44 crore.
The Executive Engineer reportedly asked for a bribe of ₹6 lakh, which amounted to about 1% of the total tender value, as a commission for the Chief Engineer. This payment was meant to ensure smooth site clearance and avoid any delays in approving future payments from the PWD.
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on March 22, 2025, and caught the accused red-handed. The Executive Engineer accepted a partial bribe of ₹2 lakh from the contractor in the presence of the Chief Engineer. The CBI recovered the bribe money from the Executive Engineer’s possession.
In addition, ₹50,000 in cash was found inside the contractor’s vehicle. All three accused—the Chief Engineer, Executive Engineer, and the contractor—were immediately arrested.
Cash and Documents Seized
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at the residential and official premises of the accused in Puducherry and Karaikal. These searches led to the recovery of:
- ₹73 lakh in cash, including:
- ₹65 lakh from the residence of the Chief Engineer
- ₹8 lakh from the residence of the Executive Engineer
- Various incriminating documents related to the case
Judicial Proceedings
The arrested individuals were produced before Judicial Magistrate I in Karaikal on March 23, 2025, and were subsequently sent to judicial custody.
The CBI is continuing its investigation to uncover further details, including the money trail, the involvement of any additional persons, and other possible evidence linked to the bribery case.