PATNA – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Patna, has registered a high-profile First Information Report (FIR) involving a complex bribery and corruption scandal within the East Central Railway (ECR). The case, filed on January 21, 2026, alleges a deep-seated conspiracy between senior railway engineers and executives of a private infrastructure company to siphon off public funds.
The investigation centers on the construction of double-line tracks (3rd and 4th lines) in the Gaya-Son Nagar section, a project involving earthwork, bridges, and electrification.
The Key Players: Officials and Contractors
The FIR names a total of ten primary accused individuals, alongside other “unknown public servants and private persons”.
Railway Officials Charged:
- Shri Anil Kumar: Chief Engineer (Construction), ECR, Patna.
- Shri Amit Gupta: Deputy Chief Engineer (previously at Dehri-On-Sone).
- Shri Sambhu: Assistant Engineer (AEN), Dehri-On-Sone.
- Shri Jainendra: Senior Section Engineer (SSE).
- Shri Raju: Senior Section Engineer (SSE).
M/s H.G. Infra Engineering Ltd. (HG Infra) Executives:
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- Shri Harendra Singh: CMD.
- Shri Dhiraj Virmani: Senior General Manager.
- Shri Anoop Singh: General Manager.
- Shri Gaurav Kushwaha: Assistant General Manager.
- Shri Akash Patra: Accountant.
The Modus Operandi: “Bribes for Substandard Work”
Information received from a reliable source suggests that the accused railway officials were “indulging in corrupt and illegal activities” by accepting bribes in exchange for three major “services” to the contractor:
- Inflated RA Bills: The company allegedly submitted inflated Running Account (RA) bills, which were cleared by the officials despite the discrepancies.
- Price Variation Clause (PVC) Manipulation: Undue advantages were granted in the calculation and clearing of Price Variation Clauses.
- Substandard Materials: Most alarmingly, officials reportedly turned a blind eye to the use of inferior quality construction materials, specifically liners of substandard specifications. This potentially compromised the structural integrity of the Gaya-Son Nagar rail section.
“Information reveals that Shri Anil Kumar, CE, has indirectly accorded approval for the use of such liners through the notesheet.”
The Evidence: “Bribe Calculation” Excel Files
The CBI has uncovered a meticulously organized bribery system. On January 7, 2026, the company’s accountant, Akash Patra, reportedly sent an Excel file to AGM Gaurav Kushwaha detailing “bribe calculations” for various railway departments.
Estimated Bribery Scale:
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- Total Bribe Fund: Approximately ₹32 Lakhs.
- Chief Engineer’s Share: Estimated at ₹4.45 Lakhs.
- Deputy Chief Engineer’s Share: Estimated at ₹8.5 Lakhs.
- Packet Deliveries: On January 21, 2026, Gaurav Kushwaha was reportedly in possession of two packets—one specifically designated for the Chief Engineer—to be delivered in Patna.
Legal Action and Next Steps
The case has been registered under several heavy-hitting sections of the law:
- BNS 2023, Section 61(2): For Criminal Conspiracy.
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (Amended 2018): Sections 7, 7A, 8, and 9, covering the bribing of public servants and taking undue advantage to influence government officials.
The investigation has been entrusted to Ms. Rubi Choudhary, Deputy Superintendent of Police, CBI, ACB, Patna. The Superintendent of Police and Head of Branch, Pranjal Rundla, IPS, authorized the proceedings to ensure a thorough inquiry into the loss caused to the Union exchequer.