Taking bribe a common practice, says CR engineer

The central railway employee who was arrested by the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told investigators that demanding and accepting bribe is a common practice in his department.

The central railway employee who was arrested by the Anti Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has told investigators that demanding and accepting bribe is a common practice in his department.

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Yogendra Yadav, 33, was caught by the agency, while accepting a bribe from a contractor, and was arrested by the ACB on May 10.

Yadav was posted as a senior divisional engineer in the central railway and was working at the Sanpada car shed. He had demanded a bribe of Rs8,000 to clear a bill of Rs85,000.

Contracts are given to contractors and vendors, for repair and maintenance of railway coaches. “The contractors are asked to shell out money when they try to get their bills cleared,” a senior CBI official not authorised to speak to the media said on the condition of anonymity. He said that Yadav too had demanded a cut from the contractor, who approached the agency and complained.

“Yadav said that seeking a 10% cut is considered normal and that everyone does it,” the official said while adding that the investigators were shocked to see such a young officer indulging in such acts.

Yadav had been serving in the railways since 2008 and had been posted in Bhusaval previously, the officer informed. He had come to Mumbai in

January.

The agency sources said that Yadav has an enviable academic record and is an IIT (Roorkee) pass out. He had secured 18th rank in the Indian Engineering Services (IES).

“He is a grade A officer and holds an important position,” said superintendent of police, Amitabh Thakur.

CBI has not found any other property or cash with him, apart from the Rs8,000 that were recovered from him on the day of his arrest.