Pune CBI Court Grants Bail to CGST Officer Caught Red-Handed in Rs 1,000 Bribery Case

Pune, 27th July 2025: A Special CBI court has granted bail to Dnyaneshwar Samaru Wadwe, a Superintendent with the CGST office in Sangamner, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹1,000. The court observed that since the accused is now in judicial custody and the primary phase of the investigation is over, he can be released on bail with stringent conditions to prevent tampering of evidence or influencing witnesses.

The bail application was heard by Additional Sessions and Special Judge R. R. Mendhe, who allowed the plea under Section 483 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in connection with CBI Crime No. RC1222025A0009 registered by the CBI-ACB Pune under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).

On July 22, the Special CBI Court in Pune remanded Wadwe to CBI custody until July 23.

Subsequently, a bail application was filed on July 24 by Advocate Rajesh Chandu Waghmare, arguing that the accused had been falsely implicated, had no prior criminal record, and was fully cooperating with the investigation. It was also submitted that all necessary evidence had already been collected and there was no further requirement for custodial interrogation.

Advocates Abhay Jadhav, Rutuja More, and Shraddha Wajale also assisted in the legal proceedings on behalf of the accused.

On the other hand, the CBI’s public prosecutor opposed the bail, stating that the accused is a senior officer and there remains a strong possibility of tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses, particularly those in the CGST office where he serves.

Court’s Observations and Bail Conditions

The court acknowledged that there is a prima facie case of corruption, as Wadwe was allegedly caught red-handed while accepting the bribe. However, Judge Mendhe noted that the offence is punishable with imprisonment of less than seven years, and that the accused is now in judicial custody.

The court granted bail with a personal bond of ₹75,000 and one surety of like amount, imposing the following conditions:

• The accused must appear before the CBI ACB office in Pune on 29 July 2025, and whenever summoned.
• He must not enter the vicinity of the informant or witnesses, nor attempt any contact.
• He must remain available during trial proceedings, refrain from committing similar offences, and submit residential and contact details of himself and two relatives (excluding parents or siblings).
• He must not leave India without permission and avoid any inducement or threat to witnesses.