The mystery in the Himachal EPFO bribery scandal surrounding the source of Rs 22.5 lakh recovered from the Chandigarh residence of Ravi Anand, the Regional Commissioner of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) in Baddi in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, has intensified. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is actively probing the origin of the cash and whether it is linked to alleged PF settlements involving companies in Baddi, Parwanoo and Nalagarh.
Three accused arrested in CBI custody
The CBI arrested Ravi Anand on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a bribe. Two others, Enforcement Officer Madan Lal Bhatti and private consultant Sanjay Kumar, have also been apprehended in connection with the case. The three accused are currently in CBI custody until November 30, as the investigation unfolds in the Himachal EPFO bribery scandal.
In a significant move, the CBI has frozen the bank accounts of the accused and is scrutinising their financial transactions. Investigators are examining records to trace the flow of funds and uncover any suspicious activity. On Thursday, the agency conducted separate interrogations of the three suspects, bringing them together for a round of confrontational questioning.
Consultant allegedly demanded Rs 10 lakh bribe
Private consultant Sanjay Kumar is alleged to have demanded a bribe of Rs 10 lakh, leading to his arrest. The CBI had detained him on November 24 after receiving a complaint and gathering preliminary evidence. Based on his disclosures, simultaneous raids were conducted on November 26 in Baddi, Shimla and Chandigarh, resulting in the arrests of the EPFO officials.
The recovered cash has raised suspicions that it may be linked to companies seeking favourable outcomes in PF-related matters in the industrial hubs of Himachal Pradesh. The CBI is investigating whether bribes were collected in exchange for resolving disputes or approving compliance reports.
The CBI is meticulously examining the financial dealings of the accused, focusing on transaction records and any unreported assets. The agency is also exploring whether this case is part of a larger corruption network within the EPFO.
This Himachal EPFO bribery scandal has sent shockwaves across Himachal Pradesh’s industrial sector, raising questions about the integrity of the EPFO and its dealings.
