CBI Arrests ED Deputy Director in Odisha Bribery Scandal
Bhubaneswar, Odisha | May 30, 2025
In a shocking development, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested Chintan Raghuvanshi, Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), on May 28, 2025, for allegedly accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe. The 2013-batch IRS officer, stationed at the ED’s Bhubaneswar Zonal Office, was caught red-handed in a CBI sting operation. Raghuvanshi reportedly demanded the bribe from Ratikanta Rout, a Dhenkanal-based stone mining businessman, to halt an ED probe, prevent his arrest, and spare his hospital from asset attachment. Initially demanding ₹5 crore, the officer settled for ₹2 crore, with the ₹20 lakh as the first installment. The CBI, acting on Rout’s complaint, booked Raghuvanshi under the Prevention of Corruption Act.Why It Matters:Trust Deficit: The arrest dents the ED’s credibility, raising questions about the integrity of anti-corruption efforts in Odisha.Case Disruptions: Ongoing ED investigations may face delays or re-evaluations to ensure evidence wasn’t compromised.Increased Oversight: The scandal could trigger stricter scrutiny of the ED’s operations, potentially exposing deeper issues.Political Ripples: The case may spark political debates, especially if linked to influential figures.Future Reforms: Odisha’s new cybercrime and economic offense police stations may strengthen financial investigations, but this incident underscores the need for internal accountability.
Sources: CNBC TV18, Business Standard, India Today, Financial Express, The Print.
Note: Some reports cite a ₹50 lakh bribe; ₹20 lakh is confirmed by multiple sources.
