16/10/2025
đ´ CBI arrests NHIDCL official in âš10 lakh bribery case
đ The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Maisnam Riten Kumar Singh, Executive Director and Regional Officer of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), for allegedly accepting a âš10 lakh bribe in exchange for issuing a favourable extension of time and completion certificate for a four-laning project on National Highway 37 in Assam.
đ According to officials, Singh was caught red-handed during a trap operation while receiving the bribe from a private contractor linked to the project. The CBI also detained Binod Kumar Jain, a representative of the contractor firm, for allegedly facilitating the illicit payment.
đ Subsequent searches at multiple premises linked to Singh led to the recovery of âš2.62 crore in unaccounted cash, documents showing ownership of 20 flats and 9 plots across various locations, and other high-value assets. The agency is assessing the total worth of the seized properties.
đ Both accused were produced before the Special Judge for CBI cases in Guwahati. The investigation is underway to trace the source of Singhâs wealth and to examine whether similar irregularities occurred in other NHIDCL projects under his supervision.