The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested the Deputy Registrar of NCLT Mumbai for allegedly accepting a ₹3 lakh bribe to influence a legal case. Get full details on the bribery case, sting operation, and ongoing investigation.

CBI Cracks Down on Corruption in NCLT Mumbai

On May 29, 2025, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) apprehended Charan Pratap Singh (Deputy Registrar of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), Mumbai Bench), along with an associate, in a significant bribery and corruption case. The arrest followed allegations that the two demanded and accepted a ₹3 lakh bribe to influence a pending legal case.

Background: Long-Running Legal Dispute Sparks Corruption Charges

The bribery investigation was triggered by a complaint from a hotel owner involved in a property dispute with his brothers. The complainant had submitted a petition to NCLT Mumbai‘s Court No. IV on November 2, 2020. The case remained unresolved for years.

According to a CBI press release, on May 11, 2025, the Deputy Registrar contacted the complainant and allegedly demanded ₹3.5 lakh to use his influence within the Tribunal to sway the ruling. After negotiation, the final amount was settled at ₹3 lakh.

CBI Sting Operation Leads to Arrest

To verify the complaint, the CBI organized a sting operation. On May 29, one of the accused was caught accepting the bribe—₹1 lakh in actual currency and ₹2 lakh in dummy notes—on behalf of the Deputy Registrar.

Later that day, Charan Pratap Singh was also arrested for his role in the bribery scheme.

Ongoing Investigation: Raids in Mumbai and Lucknow

Following the arrests, the CBI launched search operations at various locations associated with the accused in Mumbai and Lucknow. The goal is to uncover more evidence and determine whether additional individuals were involved in the corruption network.

Legal and Public Implications

This case highlights growing concerns over corruption in India’s judicial system, especially in quasi-judicial bodies like the NCLT. Public trust and the integrity of legal institutions are at stake as the investigation progresses.

Conclusion

The CBI’s arrest of the Deputy Registrar of NCLT Mumbai represents a major step toward cleaning up corruption in India’s legal and tribunal systems. As the probe unfolds, further developments may expose the wider scope of bribery and misconduct within key judicial forums.

Stay tuned for more updates on this high-profile CBI investigation and NCLT bribery case.