CBI Pune Books Two MES Officials for Demanding ₹6 Lakh Bribe to Clear Water Supply Bills

PUNE – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Pune has registered a criminal case against two officials of the Military Engineering Services (MES) for allegedly demanding a bribe to process pending contractual payments. The action follows a formal complaint regarding corruption in the administration of water supply projects at the MES facility in Khadki.

The Accused

The FIR, registered on February 5, 2026, names two primary officials:

• Shri Sunil Nikam: Assistant Garrison Engineer (AGE), E/M-II, MES, Khadki, Pune.
• Shri Suresh Mhaske: Junior Engineer (JE), E/M-II, MES, Khadki, Pune.

The Bribery Demand and Negotiation

The case originated from a complaint filed by Shri Sourabh Rajendra Deodare, representing M/s PAM’S Enterprises. The firm had been awarded a contract (No. CANO CWE/KKE/91 of 2023-24) valued at approximately ₹26 lakhs for water supply-related works.

According to the CBI, the accused officials demanded a bribe of ₹6,00,000 to ₹6,50,000 to facilitate the payment of a remaining bill worth ₹9,23,000. During initial discussions, the officials allegedly requested a first installment of ₹3,00,000, intended to be split equally (₹1,00,000 each) among the Garrison Engineer (GE), the AGE, and the JE.

Following negotiations, the accused reportedly agreed to accept a bribe of ₹2,00,000, stipulating that it must be paid within two days.

CBI Action and Investigation

The CBI conducted a verification of the complaint on February 3, 2026, in the presence of independent witnesses, which confirmed the demand for an “undue advantage”. Based on the verification report, a Regular Case was registered under:

• Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (Criminal Conspiracy).
• Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (As amended in 2018), relating to the demand of an undue advantage.

The investigation has been entrusted to Smt. Shital Patil, Police Inspector, CBI ACB Pune. The FIR was authorized by Sarah Sharma, IPS, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Head of Branch.