In a significant development highlighting internal corruption within India’s premier investigative agencies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated proceedings against an Assistant Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stationed in Shimla. The officer stands accused of extorting substantial sums from educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh, with investigations leading to the recovery of over ₹1 crore in cash.
The Allegations and Initial Complaints
The controversy began when several businessmen associated with educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh accused the ED officer of demanding exorbitant bribes to shield them from potential legal repercussions. Specifically, the officer allegedly sought ₹25 crore collectively from 29 institutions under investigation. Individual complaints highlighted demands of ₹85 lakh and ₹80 lakh, respectively, from Bhupinder Sharma, Chairman of Dev Bhumi Group of Institutions, and Rajneesh Bansal, Chairman of Himalayan Group of Professional Institutions.
CBI’s Covert Operation and the Officer’s Evasion
Acting on these complaints, the CBI orchestrated a trap to apprehend the ED officer during a bribe exchange near Chandigarh. However, the operation faced a setback when the officer became aware of the impending arrest and managed to escape, leaving behind ₹54 lakh of the intended bribe money. Subsequent searches at his residence and other associated locations resulted in the recovery of an additional ₹56.5 lakh, bringing the total seized amount to over ₹1 crore.
Arrests and Ongoing Investigations
In the aftermath, the CBI arrested the officer’s brother, Vikas Deep, a senior manager at Punjab National Bank in Delhi, and a middleman named Neeraj, both allegedly involved in the bribery scheme. The primary accused, however, remained at large for an extended period, prompting a nationwide search. He was eventually apprehended in Mumbai by the CBI’s Chandigarh team.
Background: The Scholarship Scam
The root of this extortion case lies in a broader investigation into a post-matriculation scholarship scam in Himachal Pradesh. Between 2013 and 2017, funds amounting to ₹181 crore, intended for scholarships for SC/ST/OBC students, were allegedly misappropriated. The CBI’s 2019 investigation implicated 20 institutions and 105 individuals, including educational administrators and bank officials. The ED’s Shimla sub-zonal office, under the accused officer’s supervision, was probing the money laundering aspects of this scam.
Repercussions and Institutional Response
In light of these allegations, the ED initiated internal disciplinary actions. The accused Assistant Director and his supervisory officers—a Deputy Director and a Joint Director based in Chandigarh—were transferred to Delhi. The ED emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, underscoring the importance of integrity within investigative agencies.
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