Court frames charges against 7
Seven persons, including four MCD officials, were on Monday put on trial by a Delhi court for their alleged involvement in a corruption case involving upgradation of the city’s streetlights before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Seven persons, including four MCD officials, were on Monday put on trial by a Delhi court for their alleged involvement in a corruption case involving upgradation of the city’s streetlights before the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Special CBI Judge Pradeep Chaddah paved the way for trial with formal framing of charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and forgery under the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against six persons and a private firm, which was allegedlly been favoured in the award of the streetlighting contract.
“Formal charges have been framed against the accused. They have pleaded not guilty and claimed trial,” the court said, while scheduling the matter to April 3 for recording of prosecution evidence.
The court framed charges against MCD’s superintendent engineer DK Sugan, executive engineer OP Mahla, accountant Raju V, tender clerk Gurcharan Singh, private firm M/s Sweska
Powertech Engineering Pvt Ltd, its managing director TP Singh and director JP Singh.
Terming Sugan, the senior-most official, as the “kingpin” of the conspiracy, the judge said he abused his position and allowed fudging of Sweska’s contract papers.
“You (Sugan) being a member of tender opening committee, a public servant and posted as MCD superintending engineer for 2007-08 at New Delhi, by abusing your official position and dishonestly/ fraudulently induced MCD to accept forged tender documents of M/s Sweska Powertech Engineering Pvt Ltd ...,” the court said.
It said forgery of documents was carried through Sweska's managing director and director in conspiracy with other named co-accused persons by allowing accused TP Singh to make alteration in the tender document by changing the rates.
“Causing wrongful loss to the MCD to the tune of R1,42,83,000 and corresponding wrongful gain to M/s Sweska Powertech Engineering Pvt Ltd and to yourself, you, thereby, committed offence punishable under Section 420 (cheating) of IPC and (which is) within my cognisance,” the judge said.
The CBI has stated in its chargesheet that in 2008, the MCD had invited tenders and five companies, including Sweska had applied for it, while the MCD commissioner approved only three companies.