The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday arrested a senior official in the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) here on charges of taking bribe.
According to sources in the agency, CBFC Regional Officer D. Rajasekar (40), a 1998-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the Punjab cadre, was detained soon after he was alleged to have received Rs. 10,000 bribe for viewing and certifying a film for release.
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Govindarajulu, executive producer of a film, lodged a complaint with the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch that Rajasekar demanded Rs.10,000 to view the film and issue certificate.
The complainant had paid the mandatory fee of Rs.25,000 on Tuesday and approached the official for clearing the movie.
Claiming that there were many movies in the queue for certification, Rajasekar allegedly insisted that he would not see the movie unless Rs.10,000 was paid as bribe.
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Special team
A special team formed to investigate the case laid a trap and apprehended the accused.
Search conducted
A search was conducted in his office and residence.
“The accused would be sent for remand. We have received information from the film industry regarding corrupt practices resorted to by some CBFC officials,” a senior CBI official said.
Before taking up the assignment as Regional Officer in CBFC, Rajasekar was Secretary, Animal Welfare Board of India, the sources added.