Hajipur: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Alok Kumar, the Deputy Chief Engineer of the Railway Construction Department, on Tuesday following his alleged acceptance of a bribe amounting to ₹1 crore. The operation took place at the Hajipur Junction complex on Saturday and lasted for nearly 12 hours. Officials reported that the cash, exceeding ₹1 crore, was discovered wrapped in paper within the office. Due to the sheer volume of the banknotes, a counting machine was required on site. Twelve CBI officers took part in the raid. So far, five individuals have been arrested in connection with this case: engineer Alok Kumar; his clerk, Alok Das; Class IV employee Manik Das; and two individuals associated with a private contractor.
Numerous files and documents were confiscated during the search. Investigators indicated they had received intelligence regarding the transport of bribe money to Hajipur on November 15, orchestrated by contractor Govind Bhullar. Suraj Prasad reportedly collected ₹50 lakh and ₹42 lakh from two different locations. Following verification, the CBI executed the raid. The CBI has charged Deputy Chief Engineer Alok Kumar, contractor Govind Bhullar, Suraj Prasad, and another individual named Raja with conspiring to fabricate false invoices, manipulate measurement records, and ignore substandard construction materials. Officials noted that these irregularities benefited the contractor and resulted in financial losses for the Railways.
Witnesses reported that a disturbance ensued when CBI agents arrived at the Deputy Chief Engineer’s office on the second floor of the Railway Construction Department at Hajipur Railway Station. The officers promptly detained those present and initiated the search, leading to the discovery of the cash. Alok Kumar, who has been stationed in Hajipur for the past two years, was overseeing the construction of the Hajipur–Sugauli railway line. Officials mentioned that the CBI team arrived with his photograph and subsequently summoned the contractor and another construction staff member to the office around midnight.
