Archive · 3 Oct 2026
CBI Arrests CPWD Engineer in Alleged Mumbai ₹50-Lakh Bribery Case
The CBI says a government engineer allegedly asked for money to issue a land certificate.
The certificate was meant to say that the CPWD had no claim over land in Mumbai.
A real estate group wanted the certificate for a planned construction project.
Investigators allege the demand began at ₹1 crore and was reduced to ₹70 lakh.
They say the engineer’s relative took ₹50 lakh from a company official on the engineer’s behalf.
The CBI says it caught the relative carrying the money on October 1.
The engineer was apprehended in Vashi, and three people associated with the real estate group were also arrested.
Searches reportedly found more cash and documents.
Reports differ on whether the relative’s surname was Gupta or Kumar.
The CBI arrested CPWD Executive Engineer Vikrant Verma, his relative and three people associated with the Baya Group of Companies.
Investigators allege Verma sought ₹1 crore, later negotiated to ₹70 lakh, for a CPWD NOC concerning land in Mumbai.
The CBI says the engineer’s relative accepted ₹50 lakh from Baya Group vice-president Arvind Semwal on Verma’s behalf during a trap on October 1.
The NOC was allegedly issued after the first payment without a dispatch number, with ₹20 lakh reportedly due a week later.
Searches in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune reportedly recovered about ₹53.87 lakh in additional cash, along with property documents and other records.
- Who
- The CBI arrested CPWD engineer Vikrant Verma, his relative, and three people associated with the Baya Group of Companies. Reports identify the relative as either Saurav Gupta or Saurav Kumar.
- What
- Five people were arrested in an alleged bribery case involving ₹50 lakh paid for a CPWD no-objection certificate.
- When
- The CBI laid its trap on October 1; reports dated October 2 describe the arrests.
- Where
- The case concerns land described as being in Wadala and Antop Hill in Mumbai; the engineer was apprehended in Vashi, Navi Mumbai.
- Why
- The alleged payment was for an NOC stating that the CPWD had no claim over land intended for a construction project.
- Investigating agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Department
- Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
- Alleged demand
- ₹1 crore, later negotiated to ₹70 lakh
- First payment
- ₹50 lakh
- Alleged balance
- ₹20 lakh, reportedly due after a week
- Additional cash reportedly recovered
- About ₹53.87 lakh, apart from the alleged ₹50-lakh bribe
- Arrests
- Five people: a CPWD engineer, his relative and three people associated with a real estate group
- Search locations
- Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Pune
