The CBI’s anti-corruption drive intensified with the arrest of HPCL sales officer Prateek Tagle, nabbed while pocketing a Rs 1 lakh bribe in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. This bold entrapment operation exposes deep-rooted issues in public sector fuel retail management.
Tagle, stationed in Chandrapur, coerced a complainant into paying Rs 2 lakh for expediting a retail outlet handover—a business legally under the complainant’s spouse. Negotiations reduced the immediate ask to Rs 1 lakh, but it was enough to trigger CBI’s response.
Acting on a January 16 FIR, agents verified claims and executed a flawless sting on January 17. The bribe recovery solidified the case, leading to Tagle’s detention and the launch of formal charges.
Further inquiries aim to map out Tagle’s prior activities and scan for complicit colleagues or systemic flaws in HPCL’s processes. This could lead to widespread reforms in outlet transition procedures nationwide.
Fueling public outrage over PSU graft, the episode demands stronger oversight. CBI’s success here bolsters faith in institutional integrity, promising thorough justice as the case progresses through the courts.