CBI Arrests High-Ranking Officials in Northern Coalfields Bribery Scandal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five individuals, including a deputy superintendent of police and two Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) officials, in connection with a major bribery and corruption case in Madhya Pradesh's Singrauli. Raids were conducted across multiple locations, resulting in the discovery of Rs 3.85 crore in cash and incriminating documents.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested five individuals, including a deputy superintendent of police and two officials of the Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), in a major bribery and corruption case in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh.

The NCL is a 'Mini Ratna' company under the Coal Ministry. The federal probe agency conducted searches in Singrauli, Jabalpur, and Noida, revealing a substantial amount of cash and incriminating documents. Raids included the premises of various NCL officials, such as Subedar Ojha, Private Secretary to CMD NCL, and other senior officers.

Official sources reported that Rs 3.85 crore in cash was recovered from Ojha's residence. The arrested individuals include the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Joy Joseph Damle, Subedar Ojha, Lt Col (retd) Basant Kumar Singh, Ravi Shankar Singh, and his associate Dinesh Singh. According to a CBI spokesperson, the bribes were allegedly collected from contractors and officials in exchange for favors within NCL operations, with Ravi Shankar Singh acting as a conduit for bribery transactions.

(With inputs from agencies.)