Guwahati, October 2025:
In a major crackdown on corruption, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Maisnam Riten Kumar Singh, Executive Director and Regional Officer of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), Guwahati Regional Office, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh.
The CBI conducted coordinated search operations across Guwahati, Imphal, Ghaziabad and Bengaluru following the arrest, leading to the recovery of ₹2.62 crore in cash and a massive haul of assets, including numerous properties and luxury vehicles.
According to the CBI, Singh was caught red-handed while receiving a bribe from a private company’s representative. The bribe was allegedly sought for issuing a time-extension (EOT) and completion certificate for the company’s 4-laning project of National Highway 37 between Demow and the end of Moran Bypass in Assam.
During subsequent raids, the investigating agency discovered evidence of nine landed properties, 20 apartments, and other movable assets held in the names of the accused and his family members across Delhi-NCR, Guwahati, Imphal West and Bengaluru. Officials also recovered six luxury vehicles, two expensive watches, and a silver bar weighing 100 grams.
A CBI spokesperson said,
“Verification of the immovable and movable assets of the accused public servant is in progress. The total value of these assets appears to be highly disproportionate to his known sources of income.”
Sources within the agency revealed that several of the properties were purchased at values much below the market rate, suggesting concealment of wealth and possible benami transactions.
The arrested official and two representatives of the private firm have been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act for criminal misconduct, bribery, and conspiracy.
This arrest has triggered widespread concern about corruption in government-funded infrastructure projects in the Northeast, where NHIDCL oversees multiple ongoing national highway and border connectivity works.
Further investigation is underway to trace the complete money trail and identify other officials or contractors who may be involved.
By Choba Tripura
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