SRINAGAR – The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Srinagar, has registered a Regular Case against a high-ranking official of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and an associate for allegedly demanding a bribe from the chairman of a local educational institute.
The Allegations
The case centers on Vinay Kumar, the Regional Provident Fund Commissioner (RPFC) at the EPFO office in Batmaloo, Srinagar, and Amin Sofi, an EPFO official who allegedly acted as a middleman.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the duo targeted Sanjay Verma, the Chairman of the Vijay Memorial Educational Institute in Beehama, Ganderbal . The accused allegedly demanded ₹1,50,000 to suppress a complaint filed by a former employee of the school. Furthermore, the officials allegedly threatened to conduct a “harsh inspection” and impose “wrong hefty penalties” against the institution unless the bribe was paid.
The Verification and Negotiation
The complaint, originally filed by Mr. Verma on March 30, 2026, was verified by Inspector Ajay Kumar Meena. The CBI investigation revealed that:
- Following negotiations, the accused RPFC, Vinay Kumar, agreed to reduce the bribe amount to ₹1,00,000.
- The Commissioner instructed the complainant to deliver an initial installment of ₹50,000 to the middleman, Amin Sofi.
- Verma stated in his complaint that he did not wish to pay the bribe and instead sought legal intervention to stop the harassment.
Legal Action
The FIR was officially registered on March 31, 2026, under the following statutes:
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- Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended): Relating to a public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration .
- Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988: Relating to the punishment for abetment of offences.
The investigation has been formally entrusted to DSP Rishi Raj Sharma of the CBI, ACB, Srinagar. The FIR was authorized by Raman Kumar Meena, IPS, the DIG and Head of the Branch.
