Chandigarh:
An Enforcement Officer of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) posted at the Regional Office in Chandigarh’s Sector 17 has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹2.5 lakh from a contractor in exchange for extending relief in an official inquiry. The arrest follows a CBI trap operation after the complainant accused the officer of demanding illegal gratification to settle an EPFO-related case.
The accused, identified as Shubham Tyagi, was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting part of the bribe amount during a meticulously planned operation conducted by the central investigating agency. The case has once again brought the spotlight on corruption allegations involving public servants entrusted with enforcing labour and social security laws.
According to the CBI, the case was registered on July 22 following a complaint submitted by a contractor who had been facing proceedings before the EPFO under Section 7A of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952. The inquiry related to allegations that provident fund contributions for around 30 employees had not been deposited.
Investigators said the complainant had already furnished all the required documents to the EPFO during the course of the inquiry. However, it is alleged that the Enforcement Officer threatened to submit an adverse report recommending a substantial financial penalty unless an illegal payment was made.
The CBI alleged that the officer subsequently contacted the complainant over the telephone and directed him to meet at the EPFO Regional Office in Chandigarh on July 21. During the meeting, the accused allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹4 lakh in return for closing the inquiry with minimum penalties and favourable official action.
Unwilling to comply with the demand, the complainant approached the Central Bureau of Investigation, which verified the allegations and registered a case under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the complaint, the agency laid a trap operation.
According to investigators, the accused was apprehended while allegedly demanding and accepting ₹2.5 lakh from the complainant as part of the illegal gratification. The recovery of the tainted money led to his immediate arrest.
After completing the initial legal formalities, the CBI produced the accused before the competent court in Chandigarh. The court subsequently remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody while the investigation continues.
Following the arrest, CBI teams conducted searches at the officer’s office, residence and other premises linked to him. During the searches, officials reportedly seized several documents and records that are expected to be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
The agency has registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act along with other applicable legal provisions dealing with the alleged demand and acceptance of illegal gratification by a public servant.
The arrest has drawn considerable public attention because of the accused’s academic background. Shubham Tyagi had secured an All India Rank of 76 in the Civil Services Examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in 2023. Educated in Bareilly, he was allotted the Punjab cadre and was posted in Patiala, while reporting to the EPFO Regional Headquarters in Chandigarh.
The case serves as another reminder of the increasing use of trap operations by central anti-corruption agencies to investigate complaints involving public officials. Legal experts note that under anti-corruption laws, the demand and acceptance of a bribe are critical elements that investigators must establish during prosecution. The CBI is expected to continue examining documentary evidence, electronic records and witness statements as it builds its case.
Officials have not ruled out further investigation into whether similar allegations exist in other matters handled by the accused officer. The agency has indicated that the inquiry remains ongoing and additional legal action will depend on the evidence gathered during the course of the investigation.
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