CBI Raids Post Office in Jalaun, SDI Among Three Employees Arrested on Bribery Charges

A surprise raid by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) created a stir in Uttar Pradesh’s Jalaun district after three postal department employees, including a Sub-Divisional Inspector (SDI), were caught and arrested on charges of accepting bribes.

The operation was carried out by a CBI team from Lucknow, following a complaint filed by a postal employee. Acting on the information, the agency laid a well-planned trap and caught the accused red-handed while accepting illegal gratification.

Allegations and Complaint

The case pertains to the Et Post Office area. The complainant, Krishna Kumar, a postman, had recently been transferred to Patna in Bihar and was awaiting formal relief from his current posting. He alleged that Prateek Bhargava, SDI at Konch, demanded a bribe of ₹15,000 in exchange for issuing his relieving order.

According to the complaint, Krishna Kumar had already paid ₹5,000 earlier. When he approached the officials again a few days ago for release of his pending salary, he was allegedly asked to pay the remaining ₹10,000. Distressed by the repeated demands, he approached the CBI office in Lucknow.

CBI Trap and Arrests

Based on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap. As per the plan, Krishna Kumar agreed to pay ₹2,500 on Tuesday. The SDI allegedly instructed that the money be handed over to the branch postmaster of Akodhi. The amount was subsequently delivered through Sumit Yadav, an associate of the SDI.

At that moment, the CBI team raided the post office and recovered the tainted ₹2,500 from Sumit Yadav’s pocket. Along with him, Aamir Khan, branch postmaster of Chandurra, was also apprehended.

Follow-Up Action

The sudden raid caused panic among postal staff. During questioning, the detained employees reportedly told the CBI team that they had accepted the money on the instructions of SDI Prateek Bhargava. The team then proceeded to the Konch Head Post Office, where they entered Bhargava’s office, closed the door and carried out further proceedings.

After completing the formalities, CBI officials came out, displayed their identity cards and informed staff members that the SDI was being taken into custody in connection with the bribery case.

Officials React

Konch Postmaster Vinod Kumar said that the CBI officials took the SDI away without sharing details of the internal proceedings. “No records were checked in front of us. The SDI’s office was closed, and we do not know what happened inside,” he said.

Et Postmaster Ajay Pratap confirmed that the action was taken on the complaint of postman Krishna Kumar, who was attached to his office as a contractual employee.

The CBI has registered a case and is continuing its investigation. Officials said further questioning may reveal the involvement of other officials in the alleged bribery racket.