CBI nabs NHAI Warangal project director for taking Rs 60,000 bribe from highway eatery owner

Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Warangal Project Implementation Unit (PIU), along with a private individual, for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 60,000.

The arrests were made following a trap operation conducted on Tuesday.

Bribe demanded from highway restaurant owner

According to the CBI, a case was registered on August 19 against the Project Director and a private person based on a complaint.

The complainant alleged that the accused demanded Rs 1 lakh to ensure that no obstruction would be caused to the functioning of his restaurant located adjacent to the Hyderabad–Warangal Highway near Gudur Toll Plaza, Bibinagar, Telangana.

The demand for the bribe was reportedly initiated by a private individual. After negotiations, the Project Director allegedly agreed to accept Rs 60,000, assuring that no trouble would arise from NHAI during his five-year tenure.

Trap and arrest

Acting on the complaint, CBI officials laid a trap and caught the Project Director and the private person red-handed while accepting the bribe amount from the complainant. Both accused were taken into custody and are being produced before the court.

Searches and seizures

Following the arrests, CBI teams conducted searches at three locations in Hyderabad, Warangal and Sadashivpet. During the raids, incriminating documents were seized.