A senior Railway Board official was arrested by the CBI Wednesday for allegedly receiving a bribe from Mumbai-based tour operators in return for facilitation to run special trains and additional coaches for tourism purposes.
Ravi Mohan Sharma, a 1997 batch official of the Indian Railway Traffic Service, was arrested by a team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) while accepting the bribe of Rs.5 lakh at his residence here.
"The money was being paid through Hawala channel. The alleged bribe was being given to facilitate the running of special trains and additional coaches for tourist purposes," said a CBI official.
Officials said a special train sought was from Surat to Haridwar and special coaches had been sought for clients of the tour operator.
Meanwhile in Mumbai, two tour operators - Rajesh Champaklal Jodhani and Kulin Kumarpal Shah - were arrested in connection with the case.
Officials said they will be produced before a court Thursday.