Overview
- The CBI arrested IRCTC West Zone senior executive Tridib Banerjee and Araha Hospitality director Amar Thakkar and secured their custody until July 27 for further questioning.
- The agency alleges Banerjee accepted Rs 3.98 lakh in two cash instalments deposited into his bank account on April 21 and June 8 to clear the contractor’s pending catering bills.
- Investigators say an associate, identified as D. Parmar, routed the cash into the official’s Punjab National Bank account and the CBI has produced call transcripts and bank records the court found prima facie incriminating.
- During the operation the CBI seized mobile phones with alleged incriminating WhatsApp chats, recovered cash from Thakkar’s possession (reported as Rs 4,49,500 and Rs 13,200) and took files and bills from Araha Hospitality.
- Both accused have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the CBI says further forensic financial work could extend the probe to other persons and transactions.