The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a senior official of the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh from a cable operator in Himachal Pradesh.
Officials disclosed the details on Friday (January 3, 2024), stating that the officer sought the bribe to favour the operator in compliance-related matters.
The accused, Narendra Singh Rawat, a Senior Research Officer at TRAI, was booked by the CBI for allegedly demanding the bribe from a licensed cable service provider in Sirmaur district. The licensee operates under the jurisdiction of the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Favouritism in regulatory assessments
According to sources, Rawat allegedly sought the bribe to influence the assessment of regulatory documents, including the quarterly performance reports of five other licensed cable operators in the state.
He reportedly promised the complainant that he would refrain from recommending the cancellation of their licences to the Ministry.
Caught red-handed in bribery trap
In a statement, a CBI spokesperson said, “It was alleged that as per TRAI’s guidelines, cable operators are required to submit their quarterly performance monitoring reports to the accused for evaluation. Any discrepancies in these reports could lead to recommendations for cancellation of licenses. The accused allegedly sought a bribe to overlook such discrepancies.”
Following a preliminary verification of the allegations, the CBI laid a trap and caught Rawat red-handed while accepting Rs 1 lakh in cash at his office in Delhi from the complainant.
Searches conducted at residence, offices
The agency conducted searches at Rawat’s residential and official premises in Greater Noida and New Delhi, seizing several incriminating documents and electronic devices.
“The arrest raises concerns about corruption within regulatory bodies, particularly in sectors critical to public information dissemination. The CBI is continuing its investigation to uncover any further instances of malpractice and ensure strict action against those involved,” said an anti-graft activist.