The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in New Delhi, has registered a criminal case against an official of the Delhi Police Crime Branch for allegedly demanding a bribe to spare a citizen from being implicated in a false criminal case.
The First Information Report (FIR), registered on January 13, 2026, follows a written complaint and a subsequent verification process that confirmed the official’s demand for an “undue advantage”.
The Allegations: Assault and Extortion
The case originated from a joint complaint filed by Smt. Soma Saifi and her husband, Shri Chander Prakash, residents of Sangam Vihar, South Delhi.
According to the complaint:
- The Incident: On January 11, 2026, while Chander Prakash was at a neighbor’s house, several police officers in plainclothes allegedly assaulted him and others present.
- Illegal Detention: Prakash was reportedly taken to the Crime Branch office in Pushp Vihar, where his scooter and mobile phone were seized.
- The Demand: The accused official, identified as Shri Akhilesh, allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹3 lakhs to ensure Prakash would not be framed in a criminal case.
- Coercion: It was further alleged that the officers forced Prakash to sign two blank sheets of paper under duress.
CBI Verification Findings
Following the complaint filed on January 12, the CBI conducted a discreet verification on January 13, 2026, in the presence of an independent witness from the Central Water Commission.
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The verification report revealed:
- Demand Confirmed: The suspect, Akhilesh, was found to have demanded an “undue advantage” from Soma Saifi.
- Negotiation: While a specific amount was not finalized during the verification, the official reportedly agreed to accept whatever bribe money the complainant could arrange in exchange for not implicating her husband in a false case.
Legal Action and Investigation
Based on these findings, the CBI has registered a regular case under:
- Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018): Relating to a public servant demanding an undue advantage .
The investigation has been entrusted to Inspector Aakash Srivastav of the CBI ACB, New Delhi. The FIR was authorized by I.B. Pendhari, Superintendent of Police, CBI ACB New Delhi.
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The CBI has stated that the role of other “unknown persons” involved in the alleged assault and detention will also be examined during the course of the investigation.
