CBI : The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken two Northern Railway officials into custody in Lucknow for their alleged role in seeking and accepting illegal payments during the processing of a pension claim, according to an official statement released on Wednesday. The arrests were made following a complaint that pointed to a demand for money in exchange for clearing pension-related formalities.

Details of the Arrested Officials

Those arrested have been identified as Akash Tyagi, an Accountant posted in the Office of the Divisional Railway Manager of Northern Railway, and Akshay Srivastava, who was serving as Assistant Divisional Finance Manager in the same office in Lucknow. Investigators said both officials were apprehended while allegedly accepting a cash payment from a complainant.

Allegations Linked to Pension Processing

According to the agency, the case stems from a complaint involving the pension claim of the complainant’s aunt. It was alleged that after the Pension Payment Order had been generated, a demand of Rs 1 lakh was made to move the process forward. An additional amount of Rs 2.5 lakh was reportedly sought for the final settlement of the pension dues.

Trap Laid After Complaint

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a formal case on Tuesday after reviewing the complaint and verifying preliminary details. Acting on the information provided, investigators planned a trap operation to catch the officials during the transaction. On Tuesday, the accused were intercepted while allegedly receiving Rs 70,000 as part of the demanded amount.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Inquiry

Following their arrest, both officials were taken into custody and are expected to be produced before a competent court in Lucknow. The agency has stated that further investigation is underway to determine whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged bribery and to examine any wider irregularities connected to the pension process.

Broader Concerns Over Public Office Corruption

Cases involving alleged corruption in pension-related matters continue to draw attention, as such delays or demands directly affect retired employees and their families. Pension benefits are often the primary source of income for retirees, making transparency and timely processing a matter of public importance. Authorities have repeatedly stressed that strict action will be taken against officials found misusing their positions.

Recent Similar Actions by Investigators

In recent weeks, the CBI has pursued several bribery-related cases involving public sector officials. Earlier, a sales officer of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited posted in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, was arrested for allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 1 lakh in connection with the handover of a retail outlet. The agency reported that the payment was sought in exchange for facilitating official procedures.

Previous Cases in Other Regions

The agency has also taken action in Jammu and Kashmir, where two officials from the Revenue Department in Anantnag district were arrested on January 16. They were accused of accepting Rs 15,000 from a complainant for performing official duties. These cases form part of a broader effort to address complaints of corruption across different government departments.

Enforcement and Conviction Record

The CBI continues to investigate allegations of bribery involving both public servants and private individuals. Such cases, when proven in court, have resulted in convictions that include imprisonment and significant financial penalties. Officials say these actions are intended to deter misconduct and reinforce accountability within public institutions.