The former head of the Communist Party of China’s Chongqing Municipal Committee, Sun Zhengcai, is currently under investigation for alleged bribery, according to an announcement from China’s Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Monday.

Sun is currently undergoing “enforced measures”, a term which could encompass a range of actions like compulsory summons, bail, house arrest, detention, and potential arrest.

As confirmed by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate, the investigation is actively ongoing, with a formal statement released on Monday.

In July, an investigation into Sun for “grave breaches of Party discipline” was initiated by the Communist Party of China’s Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI).

In a press release, the CCDI claimed that Sun had strayed from Party principles and disregarded the Party’s code of conduct and regulations. Sun was accused of egregiously violating the Communist Party’s eight-point code on modesty and maintaining strong connections with the public, and of pursuing showiness and privileges.

The CCDI levelled accusations of nepotism and favouritism in the selection of officials against Sun. He was also found guilty by the CCDI of leaking confidential Party information and severely violating the Party’s integrity rules.

Furthermore, Sun was accused of abusing his power for personal gain, accepting massive bribes in the form of cash or property. The CCDI also found him guilty of seeking major advantages for his relatives’ businesses and receiving valuable gifts.

The graft investigators further accused Sun of slothfulness in work, bureaucracy, and trading power for sex.

In their statement, the CCDI asserted that Sun had completely strayed from the Party’s spirit and the political expectations of senior officials. His actions were deemed a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the Communist Party’s Central Committee and the public, resulting in significant damage to both the Party and the country.

After collecting evidence related to his case, the CCDI forwarded it to judicial authorities for further investigation.

In September, Sun was expelled from the Party and removed from public office by the Political Bureau of the Communist Party’s Central Committee.

– Xinhua, China Daily