Top PSU officials nabbed in probe against bureaucrat Rajendra Kumar

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday arrested former and current managing directors (MD) of public-sector undertaking ICSIL in its corruption

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Saturday arrested former and current managing directors (MD) of public-sector undertaking ICSIL in its corruption probe against former principal secretary to Delhi CM Rajendra Kumar and a private firm.

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Intelligent Communication System India Limited (ICSIL) MD RS Kaushik and former MD GK Nanda have been accused of manipulating tender guidelines to ensure private firm Endeavour Systems Private Limited (ESPL) bagged a lucrative state contract.

Kumar, arrested on Monday along with two ESPL directors, was named in an FIR registered by the agency in December for allegedly favouring the firm, while granting five government contracts worth Rs 9.5 crore during 2007-14. The agency had subsequently conducted searches at his office at the Delhi Secretariat and south Delhi residence in December.

“The two arrested officials had tweaked tender guidelines in a manner that suited the bid of the accused private firm, the probe found,” said a source. “The roles of the two arrested officials have been found in at least one of the five contracts during 2007-14 that went to the accused private firm ESPL,” said the source.

The source claimed, “It was alleged that both the accused people acted in conspiracy with another accused who is a public servant and awarded tenders to the Delhi-based firm violating tender guidelines.” The accused persons and firms in the case have so far denied CBI’s allegations against them. The CBI arrested suspended IAS officer Kumar and four others on corruption charges on Monday. The other accused include Tarun Sharma, a deputy secretary in chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s office, and the directors of ESPL.

The CBI’s FIR had named Kumar, the firm, two of its directors and three serving and retired officials of ICSIL, including Kaushik and Nanda.

The CBI on Friday said forensic tests confirmed that a voice sample of Kumar allegedly matched with the voice in a dozen audio clips that indicate he granted favours to a private firm.