Two defence officials caught red-handed taking Rs 2 lakh bribe in Pune
Two MES officers in Pune have been arrested by the CBI for demanding and accepting bribes to clear pending contractor payments. The investigation is ongoing to uncover further involvement and illegal transactions.
Two officers of the Military Engineering Services (MES) have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Maharashtra’s Pune for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to clear pending payments of a private contractor.
The CBI said it caught the officials red-handed while accepting Rs 2 lakh from a complainant, following a trap laid on February 5.
The accused have been identified as Sunil Nikam, Assistant Garrison Engineer, E/M-II, and Suresh Mhaske, Junior Engineer, E/M-II, both posted at MES, Khadki, Pune.
PAYMENTS ALLEGEDLY WITHHELD TO FORCE BRIBE
According to the CBI, the case was registered on February 3, 2026, based on a complaint filed by a contractor who holds Power of Attorney for a private company executing MES projects.
The complainant alleged that despite completing assigned works and submitting completion certificates, his payments were deliberately withheld.
Investigators said the dues were allegedly blocked to pressure him into paying an “undue advantage” of Rs 6 lakh.
“After negotiations, the accused officials agreed to accept Rs 2 lakh as the first instalment,” the agency said.
TRAP LAID, JUNIOR ENGINEER CAUGHT RED-HANDED
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on February 5.
During the operation, Junior Engineer Suresh Mhaske was caught while accepting Rs 2 lakh from the complainant inside his office.
The bribe money was recovered on the spot.
ASSISTANT GARRISON ENGINEER ALSO HELD
Following the arrest of the Junior Engineer, the CBI also took Assistant Garrison Engineer Sunil Nikam into custody for his alleged role in the conspiracy.
The agency said both officers were involved in demanding and sharing the bribe amount.
Searches were conducted at their residential and office premises.
During the searches, investigators recovered documents and unexplained cash worth Rs 1,88,500.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The CBI said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more officials were involved and to trace the full trail of illegal payments.
“Searches have resulted in the recovery of incriminating documents and cash,” the agency said.
The arrested officers are expected to be produced before a court, while investigators continue to examine records related to pending payments and past contracts.
Two officers of the Military Engineering Services (MES) have been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in Maharashtra’s Pune for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe to clear pending payments of a private contractor.
The CBI said it caught the officials red-handed while accepting Rs 2 lakh from a complainant, following a trap laid on February 5.
The accused have been identified as Sunil Nikam, Assistant Garrison Engineer, E/M-II, and Suresh Mhaske, Junior Engineer, E/M-II, both posted at MES, Khadki, Pune.
PAYMENTS ALLEGEDLY WITHHELD TO FORCE BRIBE
According to the CBI, the case was registered on February 3, 2026, based on a complaint filed by a contractor who holds Power of Attorney for a private company executing MES projects.
The complainant alleged that despite completing assigned works and submitting completion certificates, his payments were deliberately withheld.
Investigators said the dues were allegedly blocked to pressure him into paying an “undue advantage” of Rs 6 lakh.
“After negotiations, the accused officials agreed to accept Rs 2 lakh as the first instalment,” the agency said.
TRAP LAID, JUNIOR ENGINEER CAUGHT RED-HANDED
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on February 5.
During the operation, Junior Engineer Suresh Mhaske was caught while accepting Rs 2 lakh from the complainant inside his office.
The bribe money was recovered on the spot.
ASSISTANT GARRISON ENGINEER ALSO HELD
Following the arrest of the Junior Engineer, the CBI also took Assistant Garrison Engineer Sunil Nikam into custody for his alleged role in the conspiracy.
The agency said both officers were involved in demanding and sharing the bribe amount.
Searches were conducted at their residential and office premises.
During the searches, investigators recovered documents and unexplained cash worth Rs 1,88,500.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The CBI said further investigation is underway to ascertain whether more officials were involved and to trace the full trail of illegal payments.
“Searches have resulted in the recovery of incriminating documents and cash,” the agency said.
The arrested officers are expected to be produced before a court, while investigators continue to examine records related to pending payments and past contracts.