The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch arrested a West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited official in New Barrackpore on Tuesday for allegedly accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe to expedite the installation of a transformer for a new commercial electricity connection.
According to the report, the official was approached by a local resident seeking installation of a 315 KVA transformer. The transformer was required for a new commercial connection, and the official allegedly demanded Rs 20,000 to speed up the process.
After receiving the complaint, ACB officers organised a trap near the official’s workplace. Investigators allegedly caught the official accepting marked currency notes. The money was seized during the operation, the report said.
A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The arrest places the conduct of officials involved in electricity connection and distribution processes under investigation, while the agency examines the circumstances surrounding the alleged demand and acceptance of money.
The case also concerns a stage of urban commercial development that depends on timely access to electricity infrastructure. Installation of a transformer is part of the process required to support a new commercial connection, and delays in that process can affect when a business is able to begin operations. The report, however, does not specify the location of the proposed commercial establishment, the duration of the alleged delay or the official’s designated role within WBSEDCL.
The ACB is investigating whether the arrested official acted alone or had assistance from others. Investigators are also probing whether similar offences may have occurred, according to the report. These inquiries will determine whether the case is limited to the alleged transaction or forms part of a wider investigation into the handling of transformer installations and commercial electricity connections.
The arrest follows a complaint from the local resident and an enforcement operation based on that complaint. The official has been accused of accepting the money, but the allegations remain subject to investigation and legal proceedings. No further details about the next stage of the case, including the official’s court appearance or any action by WBSEDCL, were provided in the report.
