The Kerala High Court on Tuesday questioned the state government's decision to order a preliminary enquiry into the alleged CMRL bribery case, despite information from the ED regarding corruption offences against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and others. The court is hearing appeals from Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, who argue they were not heard before an FIR was directed to be lodged. The ED alleges fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore were made to Veena's company.
The Congress-led UDF government in Kerala has ordered a police inquiry into the alleged CMRL bribery case, targeting former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas. This decision follows a report from the Enforcement Directorate and legal advice from the Advocate General.
The Supreme Court has granted a temporary relief to former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter, and son-in-law by staying for a week the investigation against them in the alleged Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL) bribery case. The apex court permitted them to appeal a single judge's order before the Kerala High Court division bench and cautioned the Enforcement Directorate against exceeding its statutory limits.
The Kerala High Court dismissed pleas by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas, challenging an order to register an FIR against them in the alleged CMRL bribery case. Current Chief Minister V D Satheesan defended the government's actions, stating they followed legal advice, while political parties reacted sharply, with BJP welcoming the verdict and CPI(M) alleging political motivation.
The Kerala High Court has directed the Vigilance to register an FIR under the anti-graft law against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena T, and son-in-law P A Mohamed Riyas in the alleged CMRL bribery case. The court stated that information provided by the Enforcement Directorate contains sufficient material to show commission of cognizable offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act, ruling out the need for a preliminary enquiry. The court also deemed illegal the state government's decision to form a Special Investigation Team for a preliminary enquiry.
An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in Haryana's Nuh district was arrested on Monday by the State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. The ASI, identified as Ashok, had reportedly demanded the money to remove a complainant and his wife's names from an ongoing case.
The CBI arrested a court reader in Tis Hazari, Delhi, following allegations of bribery.
A Delhi court has ordered the framing of corruption charges against Ved Pal, a former Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) assistant sanitary inspector. He is accused of demanding and accepting bribes from a sweeper, Naresh, who provided audio-video recordings as evidence. The court found a "prima facie case" under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch arrested an RTO official and a middleman in Kolkata for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 90,000 bribe to renew a bus permit. The arrests followed a trap operation based on a bus owner's complaint.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan has arrested a home guard driver and a court reader in Banswara for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 40,000. The bribe was reportedly demanded to prevent a complainant's bail cancellation and ensure assistance in a pending court case. Both accused are currently being questioned.
The CBI has arrested an assistant commissioner of the Food and Supply Department in Delhi for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 for the allotment and distribution of ration cards.
A rationing inspector in Thane, Vijaykumar Kacheshwar Waghwas, has been convicted in a 2016 bribery case and sentenced to one year rigorous imprisonment and a Rs 5,000 fine. He was found guilty of demanding a Rs 3,000 bribe from a fair price shop manager, with the court ruling he abused his public office for illegal gratification.
A Grade Senior Civil Police Officer in Nedumangad, Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe from a lawyer. The officer, Biju G B, demanded money for providing accident case documents.
A sub-inspector in Arunachal Pradesh was arrested for accepting a Rs 65,000 bribe to release documents related to a road accident case, after demanding Rs 1.5 lakh. The Anti-corruption Bureau caught him red-handed.
The CBI has arrested the principal of an Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) in Nuapada, Odisha, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 12,000. The principal was accused of seeking money for recommending a woman's service extension as an Auxiliary Nurse Midwifery (ANM) at the school.
The Uttarakhand Vigilance Department arrested Dr Ankur Thakur, an orthopaedic surgeon at Rudraprayag District Hospital, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 5,000 to issue a disability certificate. The arrest followed a complaint and a trap laid by the department.
A revenue official in Palghar district, Maharashtra, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 45,000.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a deputy director of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in connection with an alleged bribery case. The arrest took place in Tamil Nadu, and the CBI plans to seek transit remand to bring the officer to New Delhi for further questioning. An FIR was registered following inputs about the alleged bribe demand.
A Health Inspector from Tirurangadi Municipality in Kerala was arrested by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a Rs 10,000 bribe. The official, Sreeji S, was caught red-handed while demanding money to issue a licence for a newly opened hotel and juice shop. The complainant, an NRI, reported the incident after facing delays and demands for illegal gratification.
An official working at the office of a tehsildar in Palghar district has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 7 lakh. A case has also been registered against an additional tehsildar who allegedly made the bribe demand and is absconding.
The CBI arrested two middlemen and another person in a Rs 13-lakh bribery case involving senior officers of the Punjab Vigilance department, following a late-night raid and chase.
A forest guard in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000.
The CBI conducted a late-night raid at the Punjab Vigilance office in Mohali, arresting several middlemen allegedly involved in collecting bribes for a senior officer. The raid was part of an investigation into a bribery allegation of around 20 lakh. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia criticised the AAP government over the incident.
The Rajasthan Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested a sub-divisional magistrate (SDM), her reader, and another administrative staff member in Karauli district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 60,000.
A CBI court in Lucknow sentenced a former CRPF DIG and two others to three years in jail for a 2009 bribery case related to constable recruitment.
A case has been registered against two Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers and a private individual for allegedly demanding a Rs 3.5 lakh bribe from a contractor. The bribe was sought to clear bills for civic works in Mumbai's M-East Ward. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case and conducted searches.
A special CBI court in Thane acquitted an Income-Tax officer accused of demanding a bribe, citing lack of proof of illegal demand and contradictory evidence.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a sub-divisional agriculture officer and two others in Jammu and Kashmir in connection with a bribery case. The officer allegedly demanded a bribe for releasing a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP).
A junior engineer in the Power Development Department in Jammu was arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for accepting a bribe of Rs 75,000.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer (SDAO) and two others in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to release a subsidy under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) scheme.
Congress leader Jinto John criticised the UDF government for opting for a preliminary inquiry instead of an FIR against LoP Pinarayi Vijayan and his family in the alleged CMRL bribery case. This comes after the Kerala High Court dismissed petitions challenging an order to register an FIR. The Enforcement Directorate alleges fraudulent payments to Vijayan's daughter's company.
An engineer from the public works department and two contractors were arrested in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, on bribery charges. The Anti-Corruption Bureau recovered Rs 4.04 lakh during the arrest.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a ward officer of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 to allow renovation work. The arrest followed a complaint and a successful trap operation.
An assistant sub inspector of police and a government clerk were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Chhattisgarh in separate incidents of alleged bribery.
Two revenue officials in Jaipur were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 for the division of agricultural land.
A police assistant sub-inspector and a middleman were arrested in Dungarpur district, Rajasthan for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh.
Three police personnel in Uttar Pradesh, including a station house officer (SHO), have been suspended following the emergence of an audio clip on social media in which they allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1.85 lakh.
A Delhi Police head constable was arrested by the vigilance unit for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a complainant in connection with a dispute involving a relative.
A journalist from a Tamil news channel was questioned by Chennai police and his mobile phone seized in connection with an alleged bribery case involving a ruling TVK MLA. The MLA claimed he was offered Rs 35 crore to vote against his party in a no-confidence motion, part of a larger "Meghalaya Project" to destabilise the government. The Chennai Press Club has condemned the police action, citing concerns over press freedom.
A police inspector with the Telangana Cyber Security Bureau has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to protect the family and friends of an individual booked in a cyber fraud case.
