Daijiworld Media Network - Pune

Pune, Feb 7: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested two Military Engineering Services (MES) officers in Pune for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a private contractor to clear pending payments.

The accused have been identified as Sunil Nikam, Assistant Garrison Engineer, and Suresh Mhaske, Junior Engineer, both posted at MES, Khadki. According to the CBI, the officials were caught red-handed accepting Rs 2 lakh during a trap laid on February 5.

The case was registered on February 3 following a complaint from a contractor, who alleged that despite completing assigned works and submitting certificates, his payments were deliberately withheld to force him to pay an “undue advantage” of Rs 6 lakh. After negotiations, the officials allegedly agreed to accept Rs 2 lakh as the first instalment.

During the trap, Junior Engineer Mhaske was caught taking the bribe inside his office, and the money was recovered on the spot. Assistant Garrison Engineer Nikam was also taken into custody for his role in the conspiracy. Searches at their offices and residences yielded documents and unexplained cash of Rs 1,88,500.

The CBI said further investigations are ongoing to ascertain if more officials were involved and to trace the full trail of illegal payments. The arrested officers are expected to be produced in court soon.