CBI arrests HPCL sales officer in Maharashtra for allegedly accepting Rs 1 lakh bribe

January 19, 2026

Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sales Officer of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), posted in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. According to an official statement issued on Monday, the accused, identified as Pratik Tagale, had sought illegal gratification in connection with the handover of an HPCL retail outlet.

The CBI said it registered a case on January 16 following a written complaint alleging that the officer demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh to facilitate the transfer of the retail outlet to the complainant’s wife, who is the proprietor of the outlet. When the complainant expressed his inability to arrange the full amount at once, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 1 lakh as part payment.

Trap laid, accused caught red-handed

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on January 17. The agency caught the accused red-handed while he was demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 1 lakh from the complainant. The officer was subsequently arrested, and the CBI said further investigation into the matter is ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the alleged wrongdoing.

Other anti-corruption actions

In a separate operation, the CBI recently arrested two public servants from the Revenue Department in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000. They were also caught red-handed during a trap laid by the agency on January 16.

The CBI said it continues to conduct regular anti-corruption operations across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, often in coordination with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The agency noted that its investigations into bribery cases have led to convictions of both public servants and private individuals, resulting in imprisonment and substantial fines.

Bribe sought for HPCL outlet handover

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sales Officer of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), posted in Chandrapur district of Maharashtra, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh. According to an official statement issued on Monday, the accused, identified as Pratik Tagale, had sought illegal gratification in connection with the handover of an HPCL retail outlet.

The CBI said it registered a case on January 16 following a written complaint alleging that the officer demanded a bribe of Rs 2 lakh to facilitate the transfer of the retail outlet to the complainant’s wife, who is the proprietor of the outlet. When the complainant expressed his inability to arrange the full amount at once, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 1 lakh as part payment.

Trap laid, accused caught red-handed

Acting swiftly on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on January 17. The agency caught the accused red-handed while he was demanding and accepting the bribe amount of Rs 1 lakh from the complainant. The officer was subsequently arrested, and the CBI said further investigation into the matter is ongoing to ascertain the full extent of the alleged wrongdoing.

Other anti-corruption actions

In a separate operation, the CBI recently arrested two public servants from the Revenue Department in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000. They were also caught red-handed during a trap laid by the agency on January 16.

The CBI said it continues to conduct regular anti-corruption operations across the country, including in Jammu and Kashmir, often in coordination with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The agency noted that its investigations into bribery cases have led to convictions of both public servants and private individuals, resulting in imprisonment and substantial fines.