The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a sales officer of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited in Maharashtra on charges of seeking and accepting a bribe in connection with the transfer of a retail fuel outlet. The case relates to allegations that the officer demanded illegal gratification to facilitate the formal handover of an HPCL petrol pump to the complainant’s wife, who is the registered proprietor of the outlet.
According to the CBI, the accused, identified as Pratik Tagale, was serving as a sales officer with HPCL in Chandrapur district. A case was formally registered against him on January 16, 2026, after the agency received a written complaint detailing the alleged demand for a bribe. The complaint stated that Tagale had sought a total of Rs 2 lakh in exchange for completing official procedures required for the transfer of the retail outlet.
The complainant informed investigators that he was unable to arrange the full amount immediately. Following this, the accused allegedly agreed to accept Rs 1 lakh as an initial instalment, while making it clear that the remaining amount would have to be paid after the work was completed. This arrangement, according to the complaint, was finalised for January 17, 2026.
Acting swiftly on the information provided, the CBI set up a trap on the agreed date. During the operation, the agency caught the HPCL officer red-handed while he was demanding and accepting the Rs 1 lakh as part payment of the bribe. After confirming the recovery of the illegal gratification, the CBI arrested the accused and initiated further legal proceedings in the matter.
