The state bureau of investigations for economic offences, commonly known as the economic offences wing (EOW), presented its second challan in a 10-year old case against five public servants in Madhya Pradesh who have been accused of being involved in an Rs 8 crore scam at the Krishi Upaj Mandi.
The then mandi secretary Lalit Dahima, who has now received the IAS rank, is also an accused in the case but the state government is yet to give prosecution sanction against him.
The case was registered in 2004 and the first challan was produced against 23 firms who benefitted from the scam and a mandi official Om Prakash Kanungo on December 28, 2011.
On Friday the challan was presented against the then mandi ground in-charge, Satish Pareta, assistant sub-inspector Krishi Upaj Mandi Sardar Singh Rathore, assistant sub-inspector Krishi Upaj Mandi Dilip Raikwar, daily wager Santosh Patel and assistant sub-inspector Dinesh Sharma.
The accused have been charged under Sections 420, 120 B 477 A of IPC and 13(1) (D) and 13(2) Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.
Advocate Ashok Airen said that except Satish Pareta all the others were present in court when the challan was presented and all were granted bail after posting a bail bond of Rs 75,000 each.
{{/usCountry}}Advocate Ashok Airen said that except Satish Pareta all the others were present in court when the challan was presented and all were granted bail after posting a bail bond of Rs 75,000 each.
{{/usCountry}}EOW SP Manoj Singh said that the scam had taken place in 2002 and after a complaint was received in this regard by the authorities, the agriculture marketing board, Bhopal set up an inquiry committee and found many anomalies in the matter, the EOW registered the case.
On their yearly turnover, all the traders at the Krishi Anaj Mandi have to deposit 2% as mandi tax and 0.2% for the fund created for destitute. However, all the 23 firms booked did not deposit these amounts and officials at the mandi turned the blind eye towards it.