Nagpur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested a Senior Overseer (Civil) of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) after allegedly catching him red-handed while accepting a ₹40,000 bribe in Umred.

The accused has been identified as Pawan Nakhate, Senior Overseer (Civil), Gokul Murpar Sub Area, Umred Area, WCL.

According to the CBI, a complaint was received on September 29 alleging that Nakhate had demanded a ₹50,000 bribe for releasing payment against the complainant’s third bill for a civil work being executed for WCL.

The complainant had been awarded a contract for construction of two borewells and installation of submersible pumps, internal main lines and distribution pipelines for drinking water supply at the rehabilitation site of Pirwa village.

During verification conducted on September 29 in the presence of an independent witness, the CBI allegedly found that Nakhate had initially demanded ₹44,000, approximately 2% of the paid amount of around ₹22 lakh, along with an earlier unpaid demand of ₹10,000. The total demand was ₹54,000, which was subsequently negotiated down to ₹50,000.

Following the verification, the CBI registered an FIR against Nakhate under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.

The agency laid a trap on September 30. Nakhate allegedly met the complainant near Gangapur Chowk in Umred, where he was caught red-handed while accepting ₹40,000.

The accused was subsequently arrested, and the CBI said further investigation is underway.