CBI arrests Central Excise superintendent for taking bribe

New Delhi, Oct 10: A Central Excise superintendent in Faridabad was today arrested by CBI for allegedly receiving a bribe of Rs 50,000 from a businessman after threatening that his firm will be sealed if the amount was not paid to him.

The official, S D Meena, was caught red-handed while receiving the bribe from a proprietor of a Faridabad-based firm, CBI sources said.

The proprietor of the firm had filed a complaint alleging that five persons visited his office and introduced themselves as Central Excise officials and checked the papers of his company, a CBI spokesperson said.

They allegedly threatened the owner that his company will be sealed and demanded a bribe of Rs five lakh.

The bribe amount was, however, reduced to Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh were handed over to the superintendent on the same day.

For the remaining Rs 50,000, the complainant sought more time from the accused official, the spokesperson said.

On the promised day today, CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while taking the money. "Searches are being conducted at the residence and office premises of the accused. Role of the other accused is also being looked into," the spokesperson said.

PTI