In a significant action against corruption, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the branch manager and a field officer of UP Gramin Bank in Uttar Pradesh’s Bijnor district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe. A private individual working as a casual worker was also taken into custody during the operation. All three were caught red-handed while accepting ₹45,000 as illegal gratification.
The case was registered by the CBI on January 31, 2026, following a complaint related to a loan application under the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana. The complainant’s wife had applied for a loan of ₹5 lakh at the Sahaspur branch of UP Gramin Bank. According to the allegations, field officer Vikas Kumar demanded a bribe of ₹40,000 in exchange for getting the loan approved. The amount was later increased to ₹45,000.
During verification, investigators found that the bribe demand was allegedly made in conspiracy with the branch manager, Kapil Kumar. Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and closely monitored the transaction. During the trap operation, the accused officials accepted the bribe through a private individual, Mohammad Noman, who was working as a casual worker at the bank branch.
The CBI arrested Kapil Kumar, the branch manager of UP Gramin Bank’s Sahaspur branch, Vikas Kumar, the field officer, and Mohammad Noman on the spot. The bribe amount of ₹45,000 was recovered during the operation, confirming the allegations made in the complaint.
Officials stated that all three accused are being proceeded against under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether similar illegal practices were followed in other loan cases at the branch.
The incident has once again brought attention to corruption at the grassroots level in the implementation of government-backed welfare schemes. Investigating agencies have reiterated their commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in public sector banks so that benefits of such schemes reach eligible applicants without unlawful demands.