Kolkata, 10 September (H.S.) : The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at the residence and office of an Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) employee in Pandaveswar, West Burdwan district, late Wednesday night. The searches were reportedly linked to a complaint alleging a demand for bribes in exchange for assigning night duty.

According to sources, an employee of South Shyamla Colliery had applied for night duty citing health-related reasons. It was alleged that money was demanded in exchange for processing his application and arranging the night shift. Following the complaint, the CBI began an inquiry and subsequently reached Pandaveswar to search the residence and office of ECL employee Shankaran Harijan.

CBI officials examined documents, files and other records at the residence and office for several hours. Some important documents were reportedly recovered during the searches. However, the agency has not yet issued detailed official information regarding the materials seized or the action taken.

Shankaran Harijan was reportedly not present at his residence during the search. His son, Pankaj Harijan, was subsequently taken by the CBI team for questioning.

The CBI action has triggered discussions in the colliery area, with questions being raised over whether the matter is limited to an alleged demand for money for night-duty assignment or whether a larger network could be involved.

Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses. It is yet to be established at what level the alleged bribe was demanded, what specific action the CBI has initiated on the basis of the complaint, and what documents were recovered during the searches.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh