The State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) arrested 193 Government officers and employees in 154 bribery trap cases registered between 2021 and May 28, 2026, with the amount involved exceeding Rs 51.67 lakh, according to official figures compiled by the state’s anti-graft agency. The agency’s year-wise records reveal considerable fluctuations in anti-corruption operations, including an entire calendar year without a single registered trap case, followed by a sharp increase in arrests during 2024 and 2025. According to the bureau’s records, SEOIACB registered 13 trap cases in 2021, arresting 14 government personnel in connection with bribes totalling Rs 2.47 lakh. Another 13 cases were registered in 2022, resulting in 18 arrests involving Rs 3.82 lakh. Significantly, no bribery trap case was registered during 2023, the year Chhattisgarh went to the Assembly polls.

 

The following year witnessed a substantial increase, with 44 cases registered and 57 officers and employees arrested. The bribe amount recorded in these cases stood at Rs 11.52 lakh. The bureau registered its highest annual tally during the period in 2025, when 60 trap cases resulted in 71 arrests. The corresponding bribe amount reached Rs 23.91 lakh. Between January 1 and May 28, 2026, SEOIACB registered another 24 cases, arresting 33 government personnel.

 

The amount involved stood at Rs 9.94 lakh. Department-wise figures indicate that the Revenue Department accounted for the largest concentration of bribery traps, with 56 cases involving 67 personnel, ranging from Sub-Divisional Officers to Kotwars. The School Education Department followed with 20 cases and 25 arrests, involving personnel holding positions including Assistant Directors, District Education Officers and clerical staff. Panchayat and Rural Development recorded 14 cases involving 15 arrests, while the Police Department accounted for 10 cases and 13 arrests, involving personnel from inspectors to constables. The agency’s consolidated records also show six convictions during the reporting period, two each in 2021, 2022 and 2024. No convictions were recorded in the corresponding annual columns for 2023, 2025 and the period covered in 2026.