The CBI on Saturday arrested a Deputy Director of Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant.

The arrest came after the CBI laid a trap against Darbara Singh, Deputy Director (In-charge Regional Director), ESIC Regional Office, Jammu for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from the complainant in the matter.

A case was registered on a complaint against the arrested Deputy Director.

The complainant, an employee of a private firm has alleged that his firm provides security services to different private institutions. It was further alleged that the complainant came to know in the month of December 2020 that a Notice has been issued to the firm by ESIC, Regional Office, Shastri Nagar, Jammu. Knowing this, the complainant and the owner, both visited the office of ESIC to meet the said Deputy Director. During the meeting, the accused official of the ESIC allegedly told the complainant that their papers were not proper and ESIC would impose a penalty of Rs 23,90,850 on them if they would pay him a bribe of Rs 2 lakh, he can reduce the penalty amount. After negotiation, it was told to pay the bribe in four instalments of Rs 50,000 each.

“The CBI laid a trap and caught the accused red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 (as part of total bribe of Rs 2 lakh). Searches were conducted at the premises of accused in Chandigarh, Mohali and Jammu which led to recovery of cash of about Rs 7 lakh and documents related to properties,” the CBI said in a statement.

The accused is being produced before the Court of Special Judge for CBI Cases, Jammu for further action, it added.