The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Maisnam Riten Kumar Singh, Executive Director and Regional Officer of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Guwahati, in a major corruption case involving a Rs 10 lakh bribe.
According to officials, Singh was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe from Binod Kumar Jain, a representative of the Kolkata-based firm Mohan Lal Jain & Co. The trap operation, conducted on Wednesday, exposed a nexus aimed at securing undue favours for the company, including an extension of time (EOT) and a completion certificate for a four-laning project on National Highway-37 between Demow and Moran Bypass in Assam.
CBI uncovers large cache of assets
Following the arrests, CBI teams launched extensive searches at seven locations linked to the accused across India. During the raids, investigators seized Rs 2.62 crore in cash, along with documents related to nine land parcels and 20 apartments registered under the names of Singh and his family members. The officials also recovered papers linked to the purchase of several high-end vehicles.
The agency noted that these assets appear disproportionate to Singh’s known sources of income, and further analysis is being conducted to determine their full value and ownership.
Case under Prevention of Corruption Act
The CBI has registered a case against Singh, Jain, and other representatives of the Kolkata-based company under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The probe aims to uncover the extent of the alleged corruption network and identify any other public officials or private entities involved.
A senior CBI official said, “The operation was based on credible information that Singh was demanding and accepting bribes from contractors in exchange for official favours related to NHIDCL projects in Assam. Further investigation is underway to trace additional assets and possible accomplices.”
NHIDCL yet to issue official statement
The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited has not yet released an official statement regarding the arrest. Sources within the organisation said internal disciplinary measures may follow, pending the outcome of the CBI investigation.
The arrest of a senior NHIDCL officer has sparked fresh debate over transparency and accountability in infrastructure project execution, particularly in the North-East region where multiple national highway projects are underway.