CBI Arrests Pune Assistant Registrar Ajay Pawar in Alleged Bribery Case Involving Rs 3 Lakh

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has detained an assistant registrar of companies and inspector stationed in Pune. This arrest was made on allegations of accepting a bribe amounting to Rs 3 lakh from a company, according to officials on Thursday.

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Ajay Pawar, an officer from the Indian Corporate Law Service's 2016 batch, is accused of demanding a Rs 30 lakh bribe. This demand was allegedly made to the directors of a Mumbai-based company to settle an ongoing issue. Officials stated that Pawar threatened severe penalties and prosecution if his demands were not met.

Bribery Negotiations and CBI Involvement

The initial bribe demand was reportedly reduced to Rs 5 lakh after negotiations. The company's owner then approached the CBI for assistance. Due to repeated demands from Pawar, the company allegedly paid Rs 3 lakh as part payment on October 7, 2024, through their company secretary.

A CBI spokesperson mentioned that Pawar demanded the remaining Rs 2 lakh before issuing an order related to the ongoing inquiry. However, Pawar later increased the total bribery amount to Rs 6 lakh, according to officials.

CBI's Trap and Arrest

The CBI set up a trap and apprehended Pawar while he was accepting the remaining Rs 3 lakh bribe from a director of the private company. This arrest took place in his office in Pune, as confirmed by the spokesperson.

This incident highlights ongoing efforts by authorities to curb corruption within corporate regulatory bodies. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in business dealings.