CBI Arrests Two MES Officers in Pune for Taking ₹2 Lakh Bribe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested two officials of the Military Engineering Services (MES), Khadki, Pune — an Assistant Garrison Engineer (E/M-II) and a Junior Engineer (E/M-II) — for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh from a contractor.

According to the CBI, the case was registered on February 3, 2026, following a complaint from a contractor holding Power of Attorney for a private company executing MES works. The complainant alleged that despite completion of contractual works and submission of completion certificates, payments were deliberately withheld by the accused officials to coerce payment of illegal gratification.

The accused officers allegedly demanded ₹6 lakh as undue advantage for releasing pending bills. After negotiations, the bribe amount was reportedly reduced to ₹2 lakh as the first instalment.

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on February 5, 2026, and caught the Junior Engineer red-handed while accepting ₹2 lakh from the complainant. The bribe money was recovered from his office. Subsequently, the Assistant Garrison Engineer was also arrested for his alleged role in the conspiracy.

Searches conducted at the residential and office premises of both accused resulted in the recovery of incriminating documents and unexplained cash amounting to ₹1,88,500.

Both officials have been taken into custody, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the full extent of the corruption network and identify any additional beneficiaries.

The arrests underline the CBI’s continued crackdown on corruption within government departments, particularly in cases involving public works and defence establishments.