Nagpur: In a major action, the sleuths of Anti-Corruption Unit of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Nagpur busted a network involved in corrupt practices at the sensitive Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) as they rounded-up four persons, including two senior Central Government officials.
Further, after searches at residences, the CBI teams recovered a huge cash of over Rs 1.19 crore, precious metals, and incriminating documents. The total seized booty is pegged at Rs 2.17 crore.
The CBI action uncovered alleged corrupt practices at high ranks in PESO, the national headquarters of which is located in Nagpur at CGO Complex, Seminary Hills. Incidentally, the Anti-Corruption Unit of CBI is also housed in the same complex.
The arrested persons are Ashok Kumar Dalela and Vivek Kumar, both Deputy Chief Controllers of Explosives at PESO, along with Priyadarshan Dinkar Deshpande, a resident of Plot No 202, Lake View Apartments, near Hingna T-Point, and Devi Singh Kachhawaha, Director of M/s Super Shivshakti Chemical Pvt Ltd, in village Shripura, Tehsil-Rawatbhata, District Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, said CBI officials.
The action was taken on the basis of a tip-off received by the CBI officers in Nagpur. The information suggested that Deshpande, a private person, allegedly conspired with officials of PESO to clear an application made by Kachhawaha allegedly in exchange for bribes. The firm aimed to utilise its electronic detonator manufacturing capacity up to 75 percent by March 2024 under License No. E70164. The accused PESO officers allegedly facilitated this pending work for the firm through Kachhawaha, with Deshpande acting as an intermediary, said the CBI.
It is revealed that amendments in License Nos E70164, E23420, and E23432 were also influenced by Deshpande and the accused PESO officers in exchange for greasing of the palms, it is now learnt in the aftermath of primary probe. CBI after verifying the tip off, did a survey and laid a trap at a typing outlet near PESO office in Seminary Hills where Deshpande had arranged a meeting with Kacchawaha, said the reports.
As per the deal, Kachhawaha took out cash of Rs. 10 lakh and passed it on to Deshpande at the said typing institute. As the deal was on, the waiting CBI team swooped on the two and caught them red handed. The sudden action on part of CBI left the two bewildered and a little bit confused as the exchange of bribe was being done in utmost secrecy. The CBI team rounded-up Deshpande and Kachhawaha and took them to the office where they were quizzed.
Deshpande immediately spilled the beans and disclosed the involvement of Dalela and Kumar, the two officials of PESO. As a result, the CBI moved to adjoining building where PESO office is housed and picked-up the two officials of PESO.
Meanwhile, as planned, another CBI team immediately moved into the houses of Deshpande and the two officials of PESO. The house searches resulted in seizure of Rs. 1.19 crore in cash, plus gold biscuit, silver metal dye and several incriminating documents. Further the search and residence of Kumar led to recovery of Rs 90 lakh while Rs 2.68 lakh was found at the house of Dalela.
A case under Sections 7, 7A, and 8 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120B of the IPC has been registered against the accused by CBI Nagpur under the guidance of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) CBI Nagpur’s Anti-Corruption Unit, Salim Khan. The CBI officials produced the four accused in the Special CBI court on Thursday and obtained their police custody remand (PCR) till January 6.
