CBI arrests Lt Col over cash-for-transfer racket, more officers may be implicated

CBI investigating corruption ring that would manipulate posting of army officers for lakhs of rupees in bribe

A lieutenant colonel in the Indian Army was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation, officials said on Saturday, for allegedly being part of a racket to manipulate the posting of army officers for bribes.

The CBI case names other senior officers in the Army’s personnel department, though some have not been formally accused yet. (HT FILE PHOTO)

The case, brought to light when the CBI filed an FIR on Thursday, unearthed a corruption operation that could implicate a number of senior officers, including a brigadier.

Lt Col Ranganathan Suvramani Moni, an officer in the Personnel Department at the Army Headquarters, was arrested after allegedly receiving a part of Rs 5 lakh bribe for the transfer of Bengaluru-based army officer S Subhas.

The deal is said to have been brokered by a civilian Gaurav Kohli and another army officer Purushottam.

Kohli, Purushottam, Moni and Subhas are named in the CBI first-investigation report. Moni was caught taking Rs 2 lakh of the bribe.

In addition to a deal for the transfer of Subhas, the Lt Col is also accused of being involved in efforts to manipulate the posting of Hyderabad-based officer DSRK Reddy.

Kohli in turn approached Moni, who is posted in the army department that deals with transfers.

CBI investigators believe Moni was in touch with an officer senior to him, brigadier SK Grover, to ensure the manipulated transfers.

Grover has not been named as an accused.

Officials said the bribe was routed through hawala operators, who took the money from Subhas to Kohli.