The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested the CEO of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Rakesh Kumar, on Monday night for allegedly accepting bribes for the clearance of films.
Kumar was arrested from his Colaba office in Mumbai on Monday at around 8 pm.
On 14 August, the CBI detained advisory panel member Sarvesh Jaiswal and official agent Shripati Mishra for taking a bribe of ₹70,000 from an agent to clear a regional language film "Mor Dauki ke Bihav" from Chhattisgarh.
Following the investigation, officials found out that the agents were paid only the minimum amount and the rest of the amount was sent to Kumar, The Times of India reported.
Another authorized agent Krishnapalli was questioned by the CBI who gave evidence of Kumar's involvement in the alleged scandal.
"Krishnapalli is cooperating with the probe," a CBI official told TOI.
The CBI on Monday summoned Kumar and interrogated him for several hours before arresting him. On Tuesday, Kumar will be produced in court.
It is believed that big Bollywood directors visited Kumar's residence to obtain a clearance certificate for the films which were released recently.
"Unfortunately, none from the film industry has approached us with instances of Kumar demanding money," the official said.
CBI joint director Keshav Kumar confirmed on Monday that the CEO of CBFC's has been arrested in the bribery case. He also requested other directors and agents to come forward and register complaint against Kumar.
Kumar is an Indian Railway Personnel Service (IRPS) officer and became the CEO of CBFC in January this year.
