The CBI has apprehended U. Siva Shankar, Deputy Director of DGMS, along with two mining company representatives for allegedly accepting a ₹2 lakh bribe to manipulate a death investigation report.

  • DGMS Deputy Director U. Siva Shankar arrested for bribery.
  • Two representatives from granite and mining companies also taken into custody.
  • The bribe was intended to secure a favorable report regarding a quarry accident in Prakasam.

In a significant crackdown on corruption within regulatory bodies, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested U. Siva Shankar, the Deputy Director (Mining) of the Directorate-General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Hyderabad-III Region. The arrest follows allegations of demanding and accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh to provide a favorable investigation report regarding an accidental death at a quarry in the Prakasam district earlier this year.

Alongside the government official, the CBI has also arrested two individuals representing granite and mining companies: S. Venkata Suresh Kumar and A. Subhaskar Reddy. The trio was apprehended on Monday during the actual exchange of the illicit funds. They were subsequently produced before a court in Vijayawada on Tuesday.

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Historical Context of Mining Safety Oversight

The DGMS is the primary statutory body responsible for ensuring the safety of workers in mines across India. Historically, the integrity of its inspection reports is paramount, as these reports determine whether a mining operation complies with life-saving safety protocols or if negligence led to fatal accidents. Any compromise in this process directly endangers thousands of workers.

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that corruption in safety inspections creates a systemic risk where corporate interests supersede human lives. When officials are incentivized to overlook fatal lapses in exchange for money, the entire regulatory framework collapses, leading to preventable tragedies in industrial sectors.

The nexus between industry players and safety regulators remains one of the greatest threats to industrial labor safety.

Following the arrests, the CBI intensified its operations by conducting simultaneous raids across Hyderabad, Kadapa, and Prakasam districts on Tuesday. The agency has seized the bribe amount and is currently conducting a deep-dive investigation to uncover whether other officials or companies are involved in similar malpractice.

Did You Know?: The DGMS operates under the Ministry of Labour and Employment to enforce strict safety standards in mining operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the purpose of the bribe?
The bribe was intended to influence a report concerning an accidental death at a quarry in Prakasam district in June.

2. Where did the CBI conduct its raids?
The CBI conducted simultaneous raids in Hyderabad, Kadapa, and Prakasam districts.