Overview

• The CBI laid a trap in Sundargarh on July 10 and caught Akhilesh Kumar Verma, chief manager of Mahanadi Coal Limited’s Basundhara Area, accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe.
• Investigators registered a case on July 9 following a complaint by Ranjan Padhan and moved swiftly to apprehend Verma during the handover.
• According to the agency, Verma had negotiated his bribe demand down from Rs 40,000 to Rs 30,000 to facilitate release of a Rs 11.37 lakh compensation fund.
• This sting broadens a nationwide campaign after June operations in Mumbai netted mid-level officials who took payments to clear health licences and contractor bills.
• Central agencies are now targeting public servants across municipal and resource sectors to dismantle entrenched graft networks.