PUNE, Oct 15 (Agencies):The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an executive director of Munitions India Limited, a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, along with two private individuals in an alleged bribery case involving favours to private contractors in government work.
Searches conducted at multiple locations, including the officer’s residence in Pune, led to the seizure of unaccounted cash totalling approximately Rs 2.23 crore, along with incriminating documents.
According to CBI sources, a case was registered on October 12 against the executive director, who was allegedly involved in a conspiracy with private contractors and suppliers to secure favourable decisions in government-related work by misusing his official position. The officer is accused of accepting bribes in return for extending such favours.
Following the preliminary investigation, the CBI arrested the executive director and two other accused on Tuesday (October 13). The agency subsequently conducted searches at several locations linked to the accused as part of its investigation into the alleged corruption network.
The CBI team recovered Rs 1.73 crore in cash during a search at the executive director’s residence in Pune. Further searches at properties in Bengaluru, Mysuru and Delhi resulted in the seizure of approximately Rs 50 lakh in cash and documents considered relevant to the investigation.
The total cash seizure stands at approximately Rs 2.23 crore. The agency is examining the seized documents and investigating whether other officials, contractors or suppliers were involved in the alleged bribery arrangement.
The investigation is also aimed at establishing the extent of the alleged illegal payments, the nature of the official favours provided and the possible involvement of other individuals.
Munitions India Limited is a government-owned defence company under the Ministry of Defence. It was established in October 2021 as part of the restructuring of the erstwhile Ordnance Factory Board into seven defence public sector undertakings.
The company manufactures ammunition, weapons and explosives primarily for the Indian Armed Forces and paramilitary forces, making the allegations against a senior executive a matter of significance for the defence establishment.
The CBI investigation is underway. The allegations against the accused are yet to be established in court.