OIL DGM, private firm executive arrested in Rs 7 lakh bribery case; CBI seizes gold, cash – hunt on for more accused

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMay 5, 2025

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Prayas Chakravorty, Deputy General Manager of Oil India Ltd (OIL), Duliajan, and Jyoti Kumar Singh, Deputy General Manager (Sales & Marketing) of United Drilling Tools Ltd, Noida, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 7 lakh. The operation also uncovered a purchase of gold coins and a significant cash seizure.

According to the CBI, Chakravorty demanded 70 grams of gold ornaments from Singh in exchange for clearing bills and facilitating a work contract. When Singh couldn’t arrange the gold, he allegedly delivered Rs 7 lakh in cash, which was reportedly arranged by the Managing Director of United Drilling Tools Ltd. Chakravorty then purchased gold coins worth Rs 3.73 lakh from a Noida shop and kept the remaining Rs 3.34 lakh in cash.

The CBI acted swiftly, laying a trap and recovering the cash and gold purchase documents from Chakravorty’s possession. Both accused were arrested and produced before the Special CBI Court in Ghaziabad on May 5.

A case has been registered against four individuals: the arrested OIL DGM, the managing director and DGM of the private firm, and unknown public servants. The charges relate to a broader corruption conspiracy involving bribe-taking in return for official favours, which resulted in financial loss to the government.

CBI searches across locations in Delhi, Noida, Dibrugarh, and Tinsukia led to the recovery of gold jewellery linked to the bribe, over Rs 30 lakh in cash from private parties, mobile devices and incriminating documents.

The investigation is ongoing, with the CBI pursuing leads to locate another public servant and company executive suspected to be involved in the scheme.