Corruption – CBI arrests CGHS Meerut officer and aide in bribery case

Corruption –   The Central Bureau of Investigation has taken into custody two officials linked to a corruption complaint involving a staff transfer within a government health scheme in Meerut.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested an Additional Director posted at the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) centre in Meerut, along with her personal assistant, in connection with an alleged bribery demand tied to an employee transfer. The arrests were confirmed by officials on Friday.

Officials identified and allegations outlined

The accused have been named as Natasha Verma, serving as Additional Director at CGHS Meerut, and her private assistant, Sunny. According to investigators, the complaint alleged that a sum of ₹80,000 was initially demanded to facilitate the transfer of a CGHS staff member from Moradabad to Meerut.

The case was formally registered on April 30 after the complaint pointed to the involvement of the private assistant, who was posted at Swasthya Bhawan on Suraj Kund Road. Officials indicated that the demand was allegedly made on behalf of senior authorities within the department.

Trap operation leads to arrests

Following standard procedure in such cases, the agency conducted a verification of the complaint before initiating a trap operation. During this process, both accused reportedly agreed to accept a reduced amount of ₹50,000 from the complainant.

Investigators said the private assistant was caught in the act while accepting the bribe. The money was allegedly taken on behalf of the Additional Director, leading to immediate action by the agency. Both individuals were subsequently detained.

Alleged misuse of official position

Officials believe the bribe demand was directly linked to influencing the administrative transfer of a CGHS employee, raising concerns about misuse of authority within the system. The case highlights how routine administrative processes may be exploited for personal gain.

Authorities noted that the operation was carried out after confirming the credibility of the complaint, ensuring that due process was followed before making the arrests.

Legal proceedings and further probe

The arrested individuals are expected to be presented before a competent court, where the investigating agency may seek custody for further interrogation. Officials stated that questioning will focus on uncovering the full extent of the alleged misconduct.

The CBI has also indicated that the investigation remains ongoing. Efforts are being made to determine whether other officials were involved in similar activities or if the case points to a wider pattern of corruption within the department.

Broader implications under scrutiny

The case has drawn attention to administrative transparency within government health services. Investigators are examining records and communication linked to the transfer process to understand whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger network.

Officials stressed that maintaining integrity in public services is essential, particularly in sectors such as healthcare where administrative decisions directly impact service delivery.

Further updates are expected as the investigation progresses and more details emerge from the inquiry.