Bhubaneswar: A senior official of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) was apprehended by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) sleuths in Odisha while allegedly accepting Rs 20,000 bribe late on Wednesday.
According to sources, Akhilesh Kumar Verma, chief manager and head of the disbursement cell for MCL’s Jhupurunga-Tumulia project, had demanded illegal gratification of Rs 40,000 to release compensation funds for an individual displaced by the mining project. He had already received Rs 10,000 and was caught red-handed while accepting the second instalment of Rs 20,000.
Following which, CBI officials conducted a raid at his office and later brought him to Bhubaneswar for further investigation and legal action.