Jammu: The sleuths of Central Bureau of Investigation, Jammu, has registered a case against the then Regional Officer, NHAI, Regional Office, Jammu; a private firm and its Proprietor and unknown others on the basis of a preliminary inquiry conducted by the investigation agency.
CBI spokesman here aid that it was alleged in the Preliminary Enquiry (PE) that the private firm through its Proprietor entered into conspiracy with officials of Regional Office, NHAI, Jammu and got the work order in a tender on January 1, 2018, for improvement and routine maintenance of Lakhanpur-Jammu Section for approximately Rs.9.34 crore in violations of terms and conditions of the tender.
It was further alleged in the PE that the then Regional officer, NHAI, entered into conspiracy with the proprietor and favoured the firm in the award of the tender.
It was also alleged that the experience certificates submitted by the firm along with the bid, did not mention whether the road constructed from Atholi to Palali section in Kishtwar district was April 02/04/06 lane highway.
“Whereas in the experience certificates of other four qualified bidders, they had specifically mentioned that the roads constructed by them were 02/04/06 lane highway and it was further alleged that the fact was overlooked while processing the bid of the firm and consequently favourably processed the bid,” he said.
Moreover, experience certificates submitted by the firm through its Proprietor were allegedly found to be fake and forged. In this manner, the accused allegedly cheated NHAI, he added.
Searches were conducted on Friday at seven places in Jammu, Chandigarh and Ropar which led to recovery of incriminating documents, hard disks, other digital evidence.
A cash of more than Rs. 65 lakh from the premises of the contractor and cash of Rs 2 lakh (approx) from the premises of the then Regional Officer, NHAI were also recovered.
Investigation is in progress, added the spokesman.
CBI books then NHAI regional officer, private firm proprietor; carry searches, recovers Rs 67 lakh
