The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched an investigation against three officials of West Central Railway (WCR), a Mumbai-based director of a private company and other private persons for allegedly indulging in corrupt practices and obtaining illegal gratifications from private persons and entities for showing favours in award and execution of work.
According to the CBI sources, information was received that a huge order for the supply of railway sleepers was awarded recently to a Mandsaur (Madhya Pradesh) based company and another MP-based company at Bankhedi, whose director is a Mumbai-based person by West Central Railways (WCR), Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh for joint execution in proportion decided by the railway authorities.
The accused persons were in touch with A Kumar, deputy chief material manager, S Kumar, an official from the engineering department of WCR and S Kumar, store assistant, WCR, Jabalpur for early issuance of the purchase order (PO). A Kumar, deputy CMM, instructed the accused private persons about their commitment to payment of bribe. The private company director agreed to pay Rs2 lakh at Rs5 per sleeper to A Kumar, deputy CMM. The bribe amount was shared by the two MP-based companies in proportion to the orders placed on the companies.
A case has been registered by the CBI on charges of criminal conspiracy, obtaining of bribe by a public servant, bribing a public servant by private persons and commercial organisations and officers and abetment of offences under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
