CBI Arrests NHIDCL Official Accepting Rs 10 Lakh Bribe, Uncovers Assets Worth Crores

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the executive director and regional officer of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) in Guwahati while he was accepting a Rs 10 lakh bribe from a private contractor.

Following searches at Riten Kumar Singh's properties in Guwahati, Ghaziabad, and Imphal, the CBI recovered Rs 2.62 crore in cash along with substantial documentation revealing extensive undisclosed wealth.

The investigation uncovered ownership documents and investments across multiple high-value properties nationwide. These assets include nine apartments, office space, and three residential plots in Delhi-NCR, property in Bengaluru consisting of an apartment and residential plot, and four apartments with two residential plots in Guwahati.

Additionally, investigators found evidence of two plots and agricultural land in Imphal West, six luxury vehicles, two high-end watches, and a 100-gram silver bar.

According to preliminary CBI findings, numerous assets purchased under the names of the accused and his family members appear deliberately undervalued, with further verification currently underway.

Officials stated that the case was registered based on credible source information against the accused officer and two representatives from a private company. Acting on this intelligence, the CBI set a trap on October 14, resulting in Singh's arrest while accepting the bribe.

Binod Kumar Jain, identified as a private contractor, was also apprehended in connection with the case.

The bribe was allegedly paid in exchange for issuing favorable Extension of Time and Completion Certificates for contracts awarded to the private company, including the four-laning project of National Highway-37 from Demow to the end of Moran Bypass, among other projects across Assam.

A local court has remanded both accused to three days in police custody as the investigation continues.