The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Ajay Pawar, Assistant Registrar of Companies (AROC) in Pune, for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹5 lakh from M/s Birla Gold and Precious Metals Limited. Pawar, who had been overseeing an inquiry into the company, has been accused of soliciting the bribe in exchange for favorable treatment in the ongoing investigation. He has been remanded to the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) custody for further investigation.
The Allegations
The arrest follows a detailed complaint filed by Smt. Nikita Rattanshi, former director of M/s Birla Gold and Precious Metals Limited, alleging that Ajay Pawar demanded ₹30 lakh from the company to manipulate the inquiry initiated by the Registrar of Companies (ROC) Pune Office under Section 206(4) of the Companies Act, 2013. The inquiry required the company’s directors to furnish documents for examination, but Pawar allegedly promised leniency in return for a hefty bribe.
The complaint states that Pawar first made indirect demands for the bribe during a meeting with Vinod Sharma, the company’s secretary, and his chartered accountant. This was followed by a WhatsApp call, in which Pawar demanded ₹30 lakh, allegedly threatening the company with severe penalties and prosecution if they did not comply.
Negotiation and Partial Payment
In fear of the possible penalties and legal repercussions, the company’s management negotiated with Pawar, eventually reducing the bribe demand to ₹5 lakh. On 7th October 2024, ₹3 lakh was allegedly paid as part payment through the company secretary, Vinod Sharma. Pawar later increased his demand, asking for an additional ₹3 lakh instead of the previously agreed ₹2 lakh, which he allegedly demanded in person from Sandeep Joshi, a director of the company.
Verification and Arrest
The CBI, after receiving the complaint on 11th October 2024, conducted a verification process on 14th and 16th October, in the presence of independent witnesses. The verification confirmed that Pawar had indeed demanded and accepted a partial bribe of ₹3 lakh. Furthermore, during the investigation, it was revealed that Pawar had escalated his demands, asking for a total of ₹6 lakh to settle the matter.
Based on the evidence gathered during the verification, the CBI arrested Ajay Pawar and booked him under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). He was immediately remanded to the custody of the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Bureau for further interrogation and investigation.
Legal Action and Next Steps
Pawar’s arrest marks a significant development in the case, with the CBI now expected to dig deeper into the alleged corruption within the Registrar of Companies’ office in Pune. The charges against Pawar under the Prevention of Corruption Act could lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines if proven guilty.
The case has raised serious questions about the integrity of corporate oversight in India, especially the role of officials in regulatory bodies like the Registrar of Companies. The allegations suggest a systemic issue where officials tasked with enforcing corporate compliance may be using their positions for personal gain.
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