CBI arrests two ASI employees in Nashik for graft

New Delhi: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested two men, including a conservation assistant of Archaeological Survey of India and a contractual employee, on bribery charges.
The accused, identified as Deepak Chaudhari, the conservation assistant, and Prakash Kaklij, a contractual employee working as MTS at ASI Pandavleni office, Nashik, were caught red-handed while accepting bribe.
According to CBI, the complainant's drone camera was seized by Kaklij in Sept 2024, when he was recording a video at Trimbakeshwar temple. When the complainant, a graphic designer, went to retrieve his drone, Chaudhari demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000, which was later negotiated down to Rs 20,000.
CBI laid a trap and caught Kaklij accepting the bribe on behalf of Chaudhari. Both accused were arrested and produced before a court in Nashik on March 18. The court granted police custody of the accused for two days.
CBI also conducted a search at the residential premises of the accused, which led to the discovery of incriminating documents. Further investigation is on.