The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a Sanitary Inspector of the Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh, for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹14 lakh from a contractor and accepting ₹5 lakh as part payment. The agency is also investigating allegations that the bribe money was intended to be shared with senior officials of the civic body.
The arrest was made on October 7, 2026, following a complaint filed by a contractor engaged in landfill-related work for the Municipal Corporation. According to the CBI, the accused allegedly demanded illegal gratification in exchange for processing and clearing pending and future bills of the contractor’s firm.
CBI Catches Sanitary Inspector Red-Handed
Acting on the complaint, the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Chandigarh registered a case under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act on October 7.
The agency subsequently laid a trap and allegedly caught the Sanitary Inspector red-handed while accepting ₹5 lakh as part payment of the demanded bribe.
According to local reports, the transaction took place inside a car at the Sector 11 market in Chandigarh, where CBI officials intercepted the accused.
Following the arrest, the inspector was produced before a Chandigarh court, which remanded him to 14 days of judicial custody.
CBI teams also conducted searches at his office and residence, recovering documents described as incriminating, including records related to immovable properties.
₹14 Lakh Allegedly Demanded for Clearing Contractor’s Bills
The complainant operates a firm that provides manpower, earthmoving equipment, JCB machines and tippers to the Municipal Corporation for landfill-related operations.
The company reportedly holds a three-year contract for these services, with monthly bills amounting to approximately ₹10 lakh.
According to the complaint, the Sanitary Inspector had allegedly been demanding ₹1 lakh every month since July 2025. The total demand was stated to be ₹14 lakh, linked to the processing of previously submitted, pending and future bills.
The contractor alleged that the inspector threatened to withhold payments and initiate cancellation of the firm’s tender if the demanded amount was not paid.
In September 2026, representatives of the firm reportedly met the inspector at the Health and Sanitation Department office in Sector 17, Chandigarh.
During the meeting, the accused allegedly sought attendance sheets and vehicle logbooks required for processing the contractor’s bills while reiterating the demand for illegal gratification.
The complainant subsequently approached the CBI, which conducted verification before arranging the trap operation.
Role of Senior Municipal Corporation Officials Under Investigation
The case has also raised questions about the possible involvement of other officials within the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation.
According to the complaint, the arrested inspector allegedly claimed that the demanded money was not intended for him alone but would be distributed among other officials.
The contractor further alleged that certain senior officials were aware of the demand and had advised compliance, warning that payments could otherwise be withheld and the contract cancelled.
However, these allegations have not been established, and the CBI has not announced any additional arrests in connection with the case.
The FIR identifies the Sanitary Inspector as the accused, while the possible involvement of other municipal officials remains under investigation.
Accused Joined Municipal Corporation in 2018
The arrested Sanitary Inspector, aged 34, reportedly joined the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation through direct recruitment in 2018.
Before entering municipal service, he had worked as a primary school teacher in Delhi.
He was subsequently posted in the Health and Sanitation Department, where his responsibilities included work connected with dumping grounds and vehicles deployed for municipal operations.
The CBI is now examining the seized documents, financial transactions and allegations regarding the possible distribution of bribe money among other officials.
Further investigation is underway to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged corruption.
