Until an investigation is completed, Ranganathan has been suspended from service by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, according to sources.
The government has suspended ES Ranganathan, Director (Marketing) of GAIL (India) Ltd, following his detention by the CBI for allegedly accepting bribes in exchange for discounts on petrochemical goods purchased from the state-owned gas utility.
According to official sources, on January 17, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas issued orders suspending Ranganathan from employment awaiting an investigation.
Ranganathan, who was named Director (Marketing) of GAIL in July 2020, was set to retire in May of the following year.
The CBI launched an investigation on Friday evening in connection with discounts allegedly provided by Ranganathan to private firms in exchange for a bribe of Rs 50 lakh. On Saturday, Ranganathan’s residence in Noida and his office at GAIL’s headquarters in Bhikaji Cama Place were searched. Ranganathan’s office was closed, and he was interrogated.
While the CBI apprehended numerous private firm workers on Saturday, sources said Ranganathan was arrested on January 16 after obtaining the required sanctions.
The CBI set a trap and nabbed a private person and a Director of a Private Company situated in Delhi after the private person accepted an alleged bribe of Rs 10 lakh from the said Director of Private Company on behalf of the Director (Marketing) GAIL.
