CITY-BASED Anti-Corruption Unit of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday caught Amar Khade, an employee of State Bank of India (SBI), Home Loan Department (RACC), Camp Branch, Amravati, and his conduit one Nikhil red-handed for demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 for processing and sanctioning of top-up loan on transfer of Home Loan Account from Equitas Small Finance Bank to SBI Bank from a Senior Technician of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL).

 

Nikhil is also an employee of ICICI Bank, Gadge Nagar Branch. According to information, Rahul Durgadas Waghmare, Senior Technician, MSEDCL had availed housing loan of Rs 12 lakh from Equitas Small Finance Bank, Amravati, and approached Nikhil for transfer of the loan account to ICICI Bank, Gadge Nagar Branch. Nikhil informed Waghmare that the account be transferred to SBI Camp Branch instead of ICICI Bank. Accordingly, Waghmare applied for transfer of loan as well as for sanction of top up loan from SBI.

Amar Khade and Nikhil arranged for transfer of home loan account and also released top up loan. Thereafter, the accused duo sought illegal gratification of Rs 20,000/- from theWaghmare for the work done by them by visiting his house. After Waghmare lodged a complaint with the CBI, a bureau team caught Amar Khade and Nikhil red-handed while demanding and accepting part payment of Rs 10,000/- of demanded bribe amount Rs 20,000/- from him.

 

CBI registered a case under Section 7 o f Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and Section 120-B of the Indian Penal Code against Amar Khade and Nikhil. CBI teams are conducting searches at the office and residential premises of Khade.The accused duo would be produced before the Special Judge (CBI), Amravati on Saturday. Further investigations are being carried out under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (CBI) M S Khan.