Noida/Bengaluru, July 16: In a major anti-corruption operation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the Managing Director of Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (KAPL), a Central Public Sector Enterprise, in connection with an alleged bribery case involving a demand of ₹15 lakh from an authorised service agent.
According to a CBI press release, the accused Managing Director was arrested after the agency laid a successful trap in Noida on July 15, where he was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting ₹5 lakh as part payment of the total bribe amount of ₹15 lakh.
The CBI said the accused had allegedly demanded the illegal gratification from a Bhopal-based firm, an authorised service agent of KAPL engaged in supplying medicines to government institutions in Madhya Pradesh.
Investigators stated that the bribe was allegedly sought for approving the firm’s Service Agent Agreement, processing its application for assignment of additional institutions, renewing pending agreements for the current financial year, and as a share of the commission earned by the firm from the sale of medicines during the current year.
Following the arrest, the CBI carried out extensive searches at the accused’s residential and official premises in Bengaluru, Noida and Jabalpur.
During the raids, the agency recovered approximately ₹75 lakh in cash, foreign currency worth around ₹4 lakh, and 697 grams of gold jewellery and coins valued at nearly ₹86 lakh. Investigators also seized documents relating to a residential flat belonging to the accused.
The CBI said the investigation into the case is continuing, and further legal action will be taken based on the evidence collected.(KNC)
