A special CBI anti-corruption court in Ghaziabad has convicted and sentenced Dharmveer Singh, a recovery agent with Punjab National Bank, to 23 months’ imprisonment and a fine of ₹10,000 in a bribery case.
The Bribery Allegation
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the case on 14 September 2022 following a complaint against Singh. According to the complaint, Singh had demanded a bribe from the victim in exchange for influencing the then-branch manager to issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) related to the one-time settlement (OTS) of a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan account held in the complainant’s father’s name.
CBI Trap & Arrest
Acting on the complaint, the CBI laid a trap on 15 September 2022. Singh was caught red-handed while demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹10,000 from the complainant, the agency confirmed in its statement.
Following his arrest, the CBI filed a chargesheet on 14 November 2022 against Singh. The trial court framed charges on 24 August 2023, officially initiating criminal proceedings against him.
Plea Bargaining Application
On 6 August 2025, nearly three years after the incident, Singh filed an application seeking plea bargaining, a legal provision that allows the accused to voluntarily accept guilt in exchange for a lesser sentence. By doing so, Singh admitted to his role in the bribery case before the court.
The Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, CBI, Court No. 1, Ghaziabad, accepted Singh’s plea. In its judgment dated 29 August 2025, the court convicted him under plea bargaining provisions, sentencing him to 23 months of imprisonment along with a fine of ₹10,000.
The CBI, in its press release, stated, “The Hon’ble Special Judge, Anti-Corruption, CBI, Court No. 1, Ghaziabad vide Order and Judgement dated 29.08.2025 accepted the application of accused Dharmveer Singh for Plea Bargaining convicting him with imprisonment for 23 months and fine of Rs. 10,000.”
Significance Of The Case
The conviction highlights the increasing use of plea bargaining in corruption-related cases, enabling faster disposal of trials while ensuring accountability.
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