CBI arrests Central Power Research Institute joint director in ₹9.5 lakh bribery case

The CBI on Friday (January 9, 2026) arrested the joint director of the Central Power Research Institute, Rajaram Mohanrao Chennu, in an alleged bribery case of ₹9.5 lakh in Bengaluru, officials said.

During searches at his residence, the CBI seized a huge pile of cash worth over ₹3.59 crore, foreign currency, including U.S. Dollar, Hong Kong Dollar, Singapore Dollar, Indonesian Rupiah, Malaysian Ringgit, Euro, Yuan (Renmin), Swedish Krona and UAE Dirham worth over ₹4 lakh among others.

It is alleged that Mr. Chennu was indulging in corrupt activities and receiving bribes for issuing favourable test reports in respect of the electrical equipment produced by a private company named Sudhir Group of Companies.

The agency also arrested the company director, Atul Khanna, in connection with the bribery case, they said.

“After registration of the FIR, the CBI laid a trap and apprehended the joint director of Central Power Research Institute, Bengaluru along with an executive of the private company while transacting the bribe amount of ₹9.5 Lakh, on January 9, 2026, at Bengaluru,” the CBI spokesperson said in a statement.

“The searches have led to a cash recovery of ₹3.76 crore approximately till now [including the foreign currency]. The searches are continuing,” the official said.