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NEW DELHI: CBI has arrested a colonel posted with the Army Ordnance Corps and a private individual in connection with an alleged bribery case. The accused officer, posted under the Eastern Command in Kolkata, is accused of favouring a Kanpur-based firm by allegedly manipulating the process of awarding tenders, approving substandard samples, and clearing inflated bills. The alleged bribe amount was Rs 50 lakh and was to be paid through hawala. CBI said in its FIR that the colonel was allegedly involved in corrupt practices along with a private contractor engaged in supplying items to defence establishments across India. “It has further been informed that multiple tenders were awarded to their firms by Eastern Command, Kolkata, in exchange for bribes. During March-April 2026, a tender was awarded to the firm in exchange for a huge bribe. The officer and contractor were in regular touch,” the CBI said. On April 22, both allegedly met at Park Street, Kolkata, to discuss the tender. Two days later, it was awarded to the accused firm. “On May 16, the accused officer contacted the firm owner and reminded him about the pending bribe amount, directing that it be delivered in the Delhi-NCR region. The individual cited cash constraints,” the FIR said. On May 18, the firm owner was allegedly arranging to collect the Rs 50 lakh bribe through hawala channels from Chandni Chowk when CBI conducted a raid.
