The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has conducted searches at the premises of a retired official of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) in connection with a bribery case. The case revolves around a legal firm accused of accepting a bribe from an NCLT litigant in exchange for a favorable tribunal order.
Bribery Allegations and CBI Investigation
The investigation revealed that an initial demand of Rs 1.5 crore was made to influence NCLT members. This amount was later negotiated to Rs 1 crore, with Rs 20 lakh being transferred to the legal firm’s account at the behest of the CBI. The remaining balance was intended to be paid in cash.
The CBI has registered a case against the proprietor of the legal firm and an employee. The role of the retired NCLT official, who currently works as a private consultant, is under scrutiny. The investigative agency is probing potential connections between the accused individuals and both current and former NCLT officials.
Legal Proceedings and Bribery Offer
The case under investigation pertains to a petition filed by the complainant at NCLT Mumbai. The legal process included the submission of a resolution plan and the conclusion of arguments, after which the tribunal reserved its order in August last year. The final decision on the matter is still pending.
According to the CBI FIR, an employee of the legal firm approached the complainant, asserting connections with NCLT members and offering a favorable verdict in exchange for a monetary bribe. The legal firm reportedly used the term ‘fees’ as a code word for the illicit payment.
CBI’s Sting Operation and Evidence Collection
The complainant, unwilling to engage in corruption, reported the matter to the CBI, leading to a sting operation. The CBI verified the allegations before formally registering the case. During the probe, it was discovered that the legal firm initially sought a 50% advance payment but later settled for a 20% advance, amounting to Rs 20 lakh. The CBI tracked the accused individuals’ activities and recently conducted searches at their premises to collect bribe-related evidence, including mobile phone records.
As part of the ongoing investigation, the CBI also searched the residence and premises of the retired NCLT official on Monday. Officials are analyzing mobile data and other digital evidence to establish connections between the accused and public officials.
Legal Charges and Implications
The CBI FIR names the legal firm’s proprietor and employee, along with unknown public servants and private individuals, under charges of criminal conspiracy and attempting to manipulate judicial proceedings through illegal means.
The case highlights the growing concerns regarding corruption within regulatory and judicial bodies. The CBI continues its probe, aiming to identify and take action against all individuals involved in the bribery scandal.
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