The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the Deputy General Manager (DGM) of Oil India Limited (OIL), Duliajan, and the DGM (Sales & Marketing) of a Noida-based private company for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 7 lakh to favour a private contractor.

The CBI registered a case on May 3 against four individuals, including the Oil India official, the Managing Director and DGM of the private firm, and unknown public servants. The accused were allegedly involved in corrupt practices to secure contracts and clear bills in exchange for illegal payments, resulting in undue gains to themselves and financial loss to the exchequer.

According to the agency, the OIL official had demanded 70 grams of gold ornaments in exchange for awarding a contract. When the private executive could not arrange the gold, he offered Rs 7 lakh in cash instead. The Managing Director of the private company reportedly arranged the money.

Out of the bribe amount, the OIL official purchased gold coins worth Rs 3.73 lakh from a Noida shop and kept the remaining Rs 3.34 lakh in cash. The CBI laid a trap and arrested him red-handed with the cash and documents related to the gold purchase.

The arrested individuals will be produced before the Special Judge (CBI) in Ghaziabad on May 5.

Subsequent searches at premises in Delhi, Noida, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia led to the recovery of gold jewellery allegedly obtained as a bribe, over Rs 30 lakh in cash from private individuals, mobile devices, and incriminating documents.

The investigation is ongoing.