A special CBI court in Bengaluru has convicted M. Lalit Bazad, a former Enforcement Officer of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), for accepting a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. The court sentenced him to three years of simple imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 5.5 lakh.
Special CBI Judge Manjunath Sangreshi pronounced the verdict on July 25, 2025, after a detailed hearing. The prosecution was led by CBI Senior Public Prosecutor Shivanand Perla.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the accused had demanded the bribe from a private businessman, Nikhil Innani, during his tenure at the ED's Bengaluru Directorate. Bazad, who was on deputation from Central GST & Central Excise, Chennai, had threatened to entangle Innani in prolonged legal proceedings, jeopardize his business, and freeze his accounts unless the money was paid.
Background of the Case
The incident traces back to February 2021, when Bazad summoned Innani to the ED office in connection with an alleged China loan app scam. Once the complainant appeared, Bazad allegedly demanded Rs 5 lakh to "close" the case. The bribe was handed over by the complainant's cousin, Harish Innani, through staff members at Levels Pub in J.P. Nagar, Bengaluru.
CBI officials recovered CCTV footage from the pub, which captured the transaction and movements of the accused, providing crucial evidence. The CBI filed a detailed chargesheet on December 20, 2021.
The special court found Bazad guilty, taking into account the surveillance footage, the misuse of his official position, and the compelling evidence presented by the CBI.
The conviction is seen as a stern warning to officials who misuse their authority for personal gain, reaffirming the CBI's commitment to tackling corruption at all levels of governance.
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