Corruption in India’s oil sector faced a major blow as CBI agents nabbed an HPCL sales officer in the act of taking a Rs 1 lakh bribe. The dramatic bust unfolded in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, where Prateek Tagle, the implicated officer, was trapped during a covert operation.
According to details emerging from the case, Tagle had been pressuring a local businessman to pay Rs 2 lakh for smoothing the handover process of a retail petrol pump owned by the latter’s spouse. When the complainant balked at the demand, Tagle proposed a staggered payment, starting with Rs 1 lakh upfront.
Prompt action followed the complainant’s report to CBI on January 16, culminating in a sting on January 19. The officer’s greed led to his immediate downfall as the bribe exchanged hands, prompting swift intervention and recovery of the funds.
CBI sources reveal that deeper probes will examine Tagle’s history for patterns of extortion and potential accomplices. This case could ripple through HPCL’s Maharashtra operations, prompting audits for similar malpractices in outlet transfers.
As India pushes for cleaner governance in energy infrastructure, such high-profile arrests reinforce the message that no one is above the law. The accused now faces stringent anti-corruption charges, with the investigation poised to expose more if links exist.
