CBI books Puducherry official for demanding bribe

CHENNAI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Chennai, has booked a Puducherry govt official for demanding a bribe of Rs 2 lakh for renewing environmental clearance for an industrial alcohol plant in the Union territory.
N Srinivasa Rao, a scientific officer in the department of science, technology and environment (DSTE), Ravichandirane Arvind, director of Vijaya Industrial Alcohols Limited in Puducherry, M Ramesh Kannan of Pollachi and S Srinivasan of Puducherry were booked on charges of criminal conspiracy, demand of bribe by a public servant, taking undue advantage to influence a public servant by corrupt or illegal means or by exercise of personal influence and bribing a public servant.
According to the FIR, Vijaya Industrial Alcohols Limited applied for clearance from the Puducherry Pollution Control Committee. Inspection of the factory was entrusted to Srinivasa Rao.
"Srinivasa Rao demanded Rs 2 lakh from Ramesh Kannan, who moved the file on behalf of Ravichandirane Arvind for clearance earlier this month," said the FIR.
After Rao inspected the plant on Sept 12, Srinivasan, who was working for Ravichandirane Arvind, informed Ramesh Kannan that the money would be ready on Sept 19.
Since the investigation confirmed that Rao had demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh and the same had been arranged by others to be handed over to him on Sept 19, the CBI registered a case against all the four.
The CBI recently carried out searches in Puducherry and detained a few suspects for interrogation. Further investigation is on.