The CBI arrested Rajaram Mohanrao Chennu, joint director of the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI), on January 9, 2026, in Bengaluru for alleged bribery of ₹9.5 lakh. Officials found huge cash and foreign currency during searches at his residence. The seized amount includes over ₹3.59 crore in cash and foreign currencies worth more than ₹4 lakh, such as U.S. Dollars, Euros, Hong Kong Dollars, and others. Chennu is accused of receiving bribes for issuing favorable test reports for a private firm, Sudhir Group of Companies. The CBI also arrested Atul Khanna, director of Sudhir Group. A CBI spokesperson said, "After registration of the FIR, the CBI laid a trap and apprehended the joint director of Central Power Research Institute, Bengaluru along with an executive of the private company while transacting the bribe amount of ₹9.5 Lakh, on January 9, 2026, at Bengaluru." The agency also confirmed, "The searches have led to a cash recovery of ₹3.76 crore approximately till now [including the foreign currency]. The searches are continuing."