On October 17, 2024, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested an Assistant Registrar of Companies (AROC) in Pune for demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹3 lakh. The arrest stemmed from a complaint by the former director of a Mumbai-based private company, alleging that the AROC had requested the bribe during an inquiry related to the company. The accused had previously issued a summons requiring the company’s auditors and directors to appear before him. During these proceedings, he allegedly indirectly demanded bribes to favor the company. Initially, he sought ₹30 lakh but later negotiated the amount down to ₹5 lakh. The company was pressured into paying ₹3 lakh as part payment on October 7, 2024. Following further demands for a total of ₹6 lakh, the CBI conducted a trap operation and caught the AROC red-handed while accepting the remaining ₹3 lakh. He was subsequently arrested and presented before a special judge in Mumbai, where he has been remanded to police custody until October 19, 2024. The investigation is ongoing, highlighting the CBI’s commitment to tackling corruption in public offices.
CENTRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Press Releases Dated: 17-10-2024
CBI ARRESTS AN ASST. REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES (AROC) FOR DEMANDING AND ACCEPTING BRIBE OF Rs 03 LAKH FROM COMPLAINANT DURING A TRAP
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an accused who is Asst. Registrar of Companies & Inspector (AROC), Pune for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs. 03 lakh from the Director of a Mumbai based private company during the trap proceedings carried out by CBI on a complaint.
CBI registered a case against said accused Asst. Registrar of Companies & Inspector, Pune on the basis of a complaint of Ex-Director of a Mumbai based private company on allegations that accused demanded bribe in matter pertaining to inquiry initiated by ROC, Pune Office against the said Mumbai based private company. It was alleged that accused had issued an order dated 02.08.2024 U/s. 206(4) of Companies Act, 2013 addressed to the said Company and its Director. The accused allegedly again issued summon dated 27.08.2024 in which Auditors, all Directors and Ex-Directors of complainant’s company were asked to appear before him on 05.09.2024. In compliance of the said summon, CS of the complainant’s company along with his C.A. allegedly met accused AROC, Pune when accused indirectly demanded bribe in order to show favour to complainant’s company in the instant matter.
It was further alleged that said CS called accused who demanded bribe of Rs.30.00 lakh for helping in ongoing enquiry and to resolve the matter by way of favouring the complainant’s company. Thereafter, accused AROC allegedly threatened said private company’s Director on 23.09.2024 to face consequence of heavy penalty and prosecution to all Directors. It was also alleged that due to fear of heavy penalty and prosecution, said CS negotiated the demand with accused, who reduced his demand to Rs.5.00 lakh. Due to repeated demand of bribe by accused, complainant’s company was allegedly forced to pay Rs.3.00 lakh, as part payment to the accused on 07.10.2024 through, CS and the accused demanded the remaining bribe amount of Rs.2.00 lakh to be paid before issuance of the order in ongoing inquiry.
Later, after negotiation, accused increased demand for bribe to Rs.6.00 lakh and demanded that remaining bribe amount of Rs.3.00 lakh to be paid to him instead of Rs 2.00 lakh.
CBI laid a trap and caught accused red handed whiling demanding and accepting remaining bribe amount of Rs.3 lakh from a Director of the said private company in his office at Pune. Later, accused was arrested and produced before the Court of Spl. Judge, CBI, Mumbai. Accused has been remanded to Police Custody till 19.10.2024.
Investigation is continuing.
