Maharashtra irrigation scam: Four cases filed against officials, contractors
The ACB has registered FIRs over irregularities in execution of works and tender process in the Gosikhurd project.
Two days after chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said he would counter the NCP-Congress’ ‘halla bol’ agitation by exposing the corruption cases during its regime in the state, four cases were registered against officials and contractors in the multi-crore irrigation scam. Around 20 people have been booked.
The anti-corruption bureau (ACB) on Tuesday lodged four first information reports (FIRs) at Sadar police station in connection with Gosikhurd national irrigation project in Vidarbha region in 2012.
The ACB has registered FIRs over irregularities in execution of works and tender process in the Gosikhurd project.
Offences have been registered against the contractors and officials under sections of Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code.
“Cases have been registered against the then executive director, DP Shirke, the then chief engineer, SR Suryavanshi, superintendent engineer DD Pohankar, executive engineer Umashankar Parvate, divisional accounts officer CT Jivkate among others,” said Milind Totde, deputy superintendent of police (ACB).
An FIR was also registered against Firdos Khan Pathan, who had taken “power of attorney” from contractor MG Bhangadia, Nagpur, to executive the project. Mitesh Bhangadia of M/s MG Bhangadia was once a close associate of senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar and is now a BJP legislator. They have been booked for updating tender cost by violating norms and other irregularities.
The local NGO, Jan Manch had filed a public interest litigation before the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court against massive irregularities and corruption in irrigation projects in the region.
Responding to the petition of Jan Manch the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court last month slammed the state ACB for its failure to submit the report on investigations into the irrigation scam involving Ajit Pawar. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in awarding contracts for four irrigation projects to Bajoria Construction (owned by NCP leader and former member of the State Legislative Council from Yavatmal Sandip Bajoria).
The court directed the state ACB to submit its report by December-end.