CBI arrests Assistant DGFT in Haryana for allegedly accepting Rs 30,000 bribe

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested an Assistant Director General of Foreign Trade posted in Haryana for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 30,000 to process an Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) authorisation file. The accused official, identified as Hemlata Hedau, was posted at the Office of the Joint Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in Panipat. The CBI registered a case against her on Wednesday following a complaint alleging that she had sought money for clearing deficiencies in an EPCG authorisation application and facilitating its processing. The authorisation application related to a client of the complainant.

Rs 30,000 allegedly demanded

According to the CBI, the complainant approached the agency after the official allegedly demanded Rs 30,000 for processing the pending file.

After receiving the complaint, the agency carried out verification of the allegations before registering a corruption case.

The CBI subsequently laid a trap and caught the Assistant DGFT while she was allegedly accepting the Rs 30,000 payment from the complainant.

She was taken into custody following the operation.

The allegations against the official remain subject to investigation and have not been established in court.

EPCG file at centre of case

The alleged bribe was linked to an application under the Export Promotion Capital Goods scheme, which allows eligible businesses to import certain capital goods at concessional or zero customs duty subject to prescribed export obligations and other conditions.

Applications under the scheme are processed through the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which functions under the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The CBI alleged that the accused official sought the payment in return for removing deficiencies raised in the application and facilitating further processing of the authorisation.

Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the application as well as the official's alleged dealings with the complainant.

CBI conducts searches

Following the arrest, the CBI carried out searches at premises linked to the accused as part of its investigation.

Officials are examining documents and other material recovered during the operation to determine whether there were any additional transactions or individuals connected with the alleged bribery.

The agency will also investigate whether the incident was an isolated demand or whether similar payments were allegedly sought in connection with other applications handled by the official.

The arrest adds to a series of anti-corruption operations conducted by the CBI against public servants accused of demanding illegal gratification for carrying out official work.

Further investigation in the case is underway.