A high-ranking Enforcement Directorate (ED) officer posted in Shimla is on the run after being implicated in a bribery case. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has recovered ₹1.01 crore during searches at locations linked to the officer, identified as Assistant Director Vishal Deep. His brother, a senior manager at Punjab National Bank, has been arrested in connection with the case.
The Case and Initial Raid
The CBI’s investigation began with allegations that Vishal Deep demanded a ₹55 lakh bribe in connection with a three-year-old Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case. On Sunday, the agency set a trap to catch him red-handed during a planned meeting with the complainant. However, Vishal escaped, allegedly fleeing with a car loaded with cash. The CBI managed to recover ₹54 lakh from the spot and later seized an additional ₹56.5 lakh during searches at his Shimla residence and office at Rani Villa, Strawberry Hills.
Brother Arrested, Middleman Absconding
Following the raid, the CBI arrested Vishal’s brother, who is accused of assisting in the bribery scheme. The middleman, through whom the bribes were allegedly negotiated, is also absconding. A senior CBI officer stated, “The bribe amount and related documents have been seized. The officer’s brother has been produced in court and remanded to CBI custody. The investigation is ongoing.”
ED Officer on the Run
When the CBI team arrived in Shimla, Vishal was not found at either his residence or office. His whereabouts remain unknown, and efforts are underway to locate him.
Action by the ED
Sources in the ED confirmed that Vishal and his supervising officer, the Deputy Director, have been transferred to the agency’s Delhi headquarters. An ED official stated, “Following our zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, both officers were immediately transferred upon receiving information from the CBI. Disciplinary action is also being considered.”
Background and Previous Incidents
Vishal, an officer on deputation from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), was assigned to the Shimla sub-zonal office in November 2023. He recently took over as the investigating officer in a case involving alleged misuse of government funds in Himachal Pradesh.
The complainant in this case accused Vishal of attempting to extort money in exchange for favorable outcomes in the investigation. This incident follows a similar case from earlier this year when another ED officer, Sandeep Singh Yadav, was caught accepting a ₹20 lakh bribe from a businessman in Mumbai.
FIR and Investigation
The CBI Chandigarh Anti-Corruption Branch has registered an FIR under Section 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Investigations continue as officials search for Vishal and the middleman involved in the scheme. This case has raised concerns about corruption within enforcement agencies, emphasizing the need for strict accountability and oversight. Further updates are awaited as the investigation unfolds.
