In a significant crackdown on corruption in the banking sector, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has made arrests in a bribery case involving officials of UP Gramin Bank in Uttar Pradesh's Bijnor district. The agency apprehended a branch manager, a field officer, and a private individual for allegedly demanding and accepting an illegal gratification of Rs45,000 to process a government-backed loan application.
Details of the Bribery Case
According to CBI officials, the case originated from a complaint filed by a local resident on January 31. The complainant alleged that his wife had applied for a loan of Rs5 lakh under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana through the Sahaspur branch of UP Gramin Bank. Despite the application meeting all eligibility criteria, the field officer reportedly demanded a bribe of Rs40,000 to sanction the loan.
The situation escalated when the demanded amount was increased to Rs45,000, prompting the complainant to approach the CBI. The agency verified the allegations and set up a trap operation to catch the accused red-handed.
Arrests Made During Trap Operation
During the carefully planned trap proceedings, CBI officials successfully caught the accused individuals while they were demanding and accepting the bribe money. The arrested persons have been identified as:
- Kapil Kumar, Branch Manager of UP Gramin Bank, Sahaspur branch, Bijnor
- Vikas Kumar, Field Officer of the same branch
- Mohd Noman, a private individual working as a casual worker who allegedly facilitated the transaction
The investigation revealed that the field officer had allegedly conspired with the branch manager to extract the bribe from the loan applicant. The entire bribe amount of Rs45,000 was recovered from the accused, and all three individuals were taken into custody immediately.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications
CBI officials have confirmed that further investigation is currently underway to determine the specific role played by each accused in this corruption case. The agency is also examining whether similar instances of bribery and corruption have occurred in connection with other loan applications processed at the Sahaspur branch of UP Gramin Bank.
This case highlights the challenges faced by citizens when seeking government-backed financial assistance schemes. The Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana is designed to support young entrepreneurs, but such incidents of corruption undermine the program's objectives and public trust in financial institutions.
The CBI's prompt action in this matter sends a strong message against corruption in the banking sector, particularly in rural areas where such schemes are crucial for economic development. The agency's investigation will likely examine the bank's internal processes and oversight mechanisms to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
