CBI Court in Jodhpur Remands MES Engineer to Judicial Custody in Bribery Case
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Jodhpur on Monday remanded Sudhanshu Suman, an assistant garrison engineer (AGE) posted in Jaipur, to judicial custody until April 27. This decision follows his arrest for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000, marking a significant development in a corruption case that has drawn widespread attention.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Suman was produced in court after completing a two-day CBI remand. His arrest occurred on April 11, when the CBI's Jodhpur unit laid a trap and caught him red-handed while he was allegedly taking the first instalment of the bribe. The agency acted swiftly based on a complaint, leading to his detention and subsequent legal proceedings.
Details of the Bribery Allegation
According to CBI sources, the trap was set following a complaint that Suman had demanded Rs 90,000 to clear pending bills worth Rs 35 lakh. These bills were linked to construction works in military areas, highlighting the sensitive nature of the projects involved. Suman, a resident of Bihar, joined the Military Engineering Services (MES) in 2023 as a Group A officer and was posted as an AGE in Jaipur. In this role, he was responsible for the technical scrutiny and clearance of bills, a position that granted him significant authority over financial approvals.
Widening Probe into Disproportionate Assets
The CBI has expanded its investigation to examine alleged disproportionate assets acquired by Suman. Investigators have alleged that within just one year of joining service, he acquired substantial assets, including:
- A bungalow worth approximately Rs 1.5 crore in Bhagalpur in 2024.
- A premium electric SUV valued at around Rs 30 lakh in Jaipur in 2025.
A source close to the investigation stated, "Given the apparent mismatch between his known sources of income and assets, we are examining the disproportionate assets angle. His salary details, income tax returns, and loan documents are under scrutiny." This probe aims to determine whether these acquisitions were funded through illicit means.
Evidence Collected During Searches
During searches conducted at his Jaipur residence, CBI officials recovered cash and collected detailed evidence, including:
- Bank account details.
- Property papers.
- Digital records.
- Financial transaction documents.
These items are crucial for the ongoing investigation, as they may provide insights into the financial dealings and potential corruption involved in the case.
The case underscores the CBI's efforts to combat corruption within government departments, particularly in sensitive sectors like military engineering. As the judicial process continues, further updates are expected regarding the charges and potential outcomes for Suman.
