CBI nabs HPCL sales officer taking 1L bribe red-handed

Nagpur: Anti-corruption branch of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), trapped red-handed and arrested Pratik Tagale, sales officer at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Chandrapur, for demanding & accepting a 1L bribe from a complainant on Jan 17, reports Soumitra Bose.The case was registered under Section 7 of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. According to CBI, the complainant's wife is proprietor of an HPCL retail outlet, had lodged a written complaint on Jan 12. Tagale allegedly sought 2L to facilitate the handover of retail outlet, despite the fact that the owner settled all dues and disputes.Following verification of allegations on Jan 13, the officer insisted on full payment. When the complainant expressed inability to pay entire amount, Tagale agreed to accept 1L as part payment on Jan 17. A trap was laid, leading to his arrest at the spot.CBI, Nagpur, appealed to the public to report any demands for bribes by employees of central govt depts or undertakings by contacting: 9423683211/07122510382.