CBI: Snapshot of 2012

Jalandhar, January 14, 2013:  The year 2012 was marked by the Central Bureau of Investigation probing  several cases of relating to alleged irregularities in allocation, implementation and use of natural resources and public money . The CBI conducted investigation in the Coal Block allocation; Illegal mining; Purchase of army vehicles; Irregularities in NRHM funds in Uttar Pradesh among others. Cases relating to Disproportionate Assets and bribery, involving public servants and others were probed.

According to the spokesperson of CBI, some of the prominent complex crime cases investigated by the Bureau related to violence in certain districts of Assam, abuse of children in a shelter home in Rohtak (Haryana), murder of Shehla Masood a Bhopal based RTI activist, alleged fake encounters of Tulsi Prajapati and Sadik Jemaal, among others.

In carefully planned operations, CBI conducted nation-wise simultaneous searches in over 60 locations in connection with NRHM irregularities;  and 30 locations across the country were searched in a simultaneous operation in the coal block allocation matter.

CBI established an Anti Human Trafficking Unit in 2012. The Bureau set up an exclusive helpline, specially for children & women, for the purpose of exploitation.  The Unit also liaised with NGOs involved in this field;

During the year 2012, the Central Bureau of Investigation registered 1048 cases; disposed off 1079 cases from investigation; concluded Trial in 1187 cases with conviction rate of 66.79 percent.

CBI’s Establishment Day was celebrated on 1^st April, 2012. The President of India, the Vice President, the Prime Minister, senior Ministers, Leaders of the Opposition, Dignitaries and Senior Officers graced the occasion and  reiterated CBI’s stature & responsibility as the nation’s premier investigation agency.

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated the 19^th Conference of CBI and State Anti Corruption Bureaus in October, 2012. The Prime Minister said that Anti-Corruption Agencies need to upgrade techniques & skills to probe new methods being adopted for corruption activities.  Union Minister of State for Personnel V. Narayanasamy said that the CBI has repeatedly proved its credentials as the premier investigation agency of the country.

The Secretary General, Interpol Ronald K.Noble delivered 13th D. P. Kolhi Memorial Lecture  on ‘Multi-Jurisdictional Investigations’ on March 30, 2012 and said that sharing of information by police organizations through Interpol is essential to the security of world’s citizens.

Even though high profile cases kept CBI in headlines, the Bureau focused on several sectors having impact on the common public, such as Education; Health; Banking; Telecom, Petroleum; Infrastructure; Housing etc. This paved the way for systematic improvements in the sectors and laying down of rules to prevent corruption.

Some key cases in which investigation was completed in 2012 are highlighted below:

 ·         CBI filed chargesheets in several cases in connection with alleged irregularities in the implementation of the National Rural Health Mission funds in Uttar Pradesh.  CBI’s investigation revealed that the laid-down norms & procedures were flouted and certain private parties were allegedly favoured in the purchase of equipments and tender process;

·         CBI filed chargesheet against 13 accused persons relating to Adarsh Cooperative Housing Society Case of Mumbai;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against an Accountant Member, ITAT (Income Tax Appellate Tribunal), Kolkata & five others for undue favours being shown to various parties represented by a private firm in Income tax matters

·         CBI filed a charge sheet against an Additional Commissioner, Income Tax; Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax and businessman in a bribery case wherein a bribe amount of Rs.2 Crore was paid to these public servants;

·         A chargesheet was filed by CBI against an MLA of Jharkhand in disproportionate assets case;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against 13 accused persons, including the then Minister of Rajasthan and another MLA of Rajasthan in Bhanwari Devi Murder Case.  Later, CBI filed another chargesheet against 04 persons including one absconding in the case;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against 15 accused persons in the Bharatpur(Rajasthan) riot case;

·         The then Minister for Water Resources & Civil Supplies, Govt of Jharkhand was chargesheeted in a  disproportionate assets case;

·         A chargesheet was filed against Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh, 5 private companies & 07 other accused persons, including the then VC/MD of Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation(APIIC);

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against 82 accused persons including two then MLAs & others in a case relating to rioting, demolition, theft and trespass at District Betul, (Madhya Pradesh);

·         A former Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and 10 others were chargesheeted  in connection with irregularities relating to grant of approval to Indore-based Medical College;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against 5 accused persons in connection with the murder of Shehla Masood outside her residence at Bhopal, and unveiled the entire plot ;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against 3 persons in connection with the murders of the then Chief Medical Officers of Uttar Pradesh;

·         A chargesheet was filed by CBI against the then MLA of Banda(Uttar Pradesh) and two other persons for rape & molestation of a girl;;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against 05 persons relating to alleged sexual exploitation of the minor girl rescued by Anti Human Trafficking Unit;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against the then President of the Medical Council of India and 04 others for flouting MCI norms & regulations;

·         CBI filed a charge sheet against 13 accused, including a Member of Parliament from Andhra Pradesh;  three Senior Officers(IAS Officer & others) of Andhra Pradesh; two then Ministers of Andhra Pradesh; three private persons/businessmen and four private firms in a case relating to alleged irregularities in the Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Port & Industrial Corridor (VANPIC) Project;

·         A charge sheet  was filed against 06 accused persons in two cases relating alleged irregularities and favours given to a private firm in awarding contracts relating to transportation and hiring of equipment in connection with the Queen’s Baton Relay of the CWG-2010;

·         CBIfiled  a charge sheet against 20 accused persons including the then Minister of State for Home, Government of Gujarat and officials of the Gujarat & Rajasthan Police for the offences of murder, destruction of evidence in an alleged fake encounter of Tulsi Ram Prajapati;

·         A final report was filed  relating to the death of Dr.Y.S.Sachan, the then Deputy CMO of UP. Investigation revealed that Dr.Sachan attempted to kill himself by inflicting wounds on accessible areas of the body and also attempted to hang himself with the help of belt.  No evidence indicating of presence of second person came forth;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, certain private companies and others for alleged abuse of official position and corruption for violating various laws;

·         A charge sheet was filed against 02 private persons and a retired officer of the Indian Air Force for violation of the Official Secrets Act.  It was alleged that there was unauthorised dissemination of 08 secret documents of the Ministry of Defence by the accused persons;

 ·         CBI filed a charge sheet against 04 accused persons, including the then Divisional Forest Officer of North Cachar Hills Division for allegedly mis-appropriating public funds;

 ·         A charge sheet was filed by CBI against the then Secretary, DoT and 03 private telecom companies based in Delhi & Mumbai in connection with the alleged irregularities in charging of Spectrum fees and consequent loss of Rs.846 crore(Approx) to the public exchequer;

 ·         CBI filed a charge sheet against 08 police officials of the Crime Branch, Ahmedabad  in connection with alleged fake encounter of Sadiq Jamal Mahetar;

·         CBI filed a supplementary charge sheet against the then Secretary, Industries & Commerce Deptt., Govt of Andhra Pradesh in an illegal mining case;

·         CBI filed a chargesheet against seven accused persons including two senior officers, Govt of Andhra Pradesh and five Real Estate companies in connection with the sale of Villas etc. in Integrated Project, Hyderabad.

Besides, some prominent cases which were registered this year and others in which investigation is ongoing are highlighted below:

o   CBI investigated an alleged irregularities in the execution of implementation of NRHM funds in Uttar Pradesh;

o     A case was registered against Delhi-based NGO & others for allegedly receiving foreign contribution without taking prior permission from the Govt. of India;

o   CBI arrested a Superintendent of Customs, Special Economic Zone, Sholinganallur, Chennai for accepting bribe of Rs.50,000; Over 30 Lakh  was seized during searches;

o      CBI registered a case relating to alleged irregularities in procurement of Army trucks from a UK-based company

o      A case was registered by CBI against  then CMD of M/s BEML & others for irregularities in award of works relating to implementation of ‘resource planning project’ in BEML;

o   The Bureau took up investigation of alleged mal-practice in Rajya Sabha Elections during March, 2012 in the State of Jharkhand;  

o   CBI’s  Anti Human Trafficking Unit rescued a missing minor girl from Darjeeling;

o   CBI seized an antique sculpture which was being smuggled out of the country in the guise of marble tiles.  The destination of the sculpture was Hong Kong.  One person was arrested in this connection;

o   CBI registered  a case against certain officers of CPWD; DDA & private firm for alleged irregularities relating to laying of five synthetic tracks for CWG-2010;

o     CBI registered a case against certain Defence Estate Officials relating to alleged irregularities in the sale & purchase of defence land of Srinagar(J&K);

o    A case was registered by CBI against the former Chief Minister of Karnataka and others in connection with illegal mining on the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India;

o    CBI registered a case against 2 private persons & others relating to alleged bribe for appointment of teachers in Chandigarh;

o     A case was registered by CBI against Staff Officer of the National Defence Academy, Pune & 5 others in an alleged bribery case and recovered Rs.1.76 crore during searches.

o    CBI arrested Joint General Manager(a Brigadier-level officer) of Central Stores Depot(CSD), Mumbai in an on-going investigation of alleged bribery case wherein the officer allegedly accepted Rs.1.25 lakh from the private firm;

o    A Physical Training Officer (A Colonel-level Officer) & Presiding Officer of the Board appointed by National Defence Academy, Pune were arrested in connection with allegations of bribery in an appointment of subordinate staff in NDA, Pune;

o    A Senior Manager of the Bank of India was arrested for accepting a bribe of Rs.1 Lakh from the Financial Consultant;

o   CBI registered a case relating to alleged criminal neglect   leading to infection of HIV of 27 thalassaemic  children in a hospital in  Junagarh(Gujarat);

o   CBI busted a fraudulent admission racket for Bachelor of Dental Surgery(BDS) Course in Delhi’

o    A case was registered by CBI against the then Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Open University & others in a case relating to alleged irregularities in grant of approval to two Universities for running courses in Distant Education mode;

o    CBI registered a case against Commissioner, Central Excise, Delhi; Superintendent & others for demanding a bribe of Rs.60 Lakh from a mobile phone Importer;

o    CBI registered 07 cases relating to incident of violence and rioting in certain places of Assam last year, on the request of the Govt of Assam.  The Bureau also set up Helpline numbers on which the general public could give any specific and relevant information;

o   CBI also registered a case against 04 officials of the Organizing Committee, CWG-2010 for alleged irregularities in awarding contracts relating to Games Workforce and Planning, Project & Risk Management Services;

o    A case was registered by CBI against 02 private persons for smuggling and trafficking fake Indian currency notes to the tune of Rs.8.49 Lakh; In another case 3 persons were arrested for smuggling fake currency worth Rs. 8 lakh.

o   CBI registered 05 cases against certain firms and exporters in connection with alleged illegally  excavated iron ore to the tune of 50 lakh metric ton worth Rs.2500 crore(approx) and subsequent export of the same from Belekeri Port in Karnataka;

o   CBI is investigating certain private companies and others to look into allegations relating to allocation of coal blocks on the basis of mis-representation and false claims in the applications & presentations made by private companies. 

o   CBI registered 05 cases under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and the IPC relating to seizure of body parts of Pangolin & Tiger (protected animals in Assam).  One absconding accused was arrested in this connection;

o   CBI registered a case against a retired Lieutenant General of the Army for allegedly offering a bribe of Rs.14 crore on  behalf of suppliers of trucks to the then Chief of Army Staff allegedly clearing a proposal for procurement of High Mobility Vehicles in the Indian Army;

o   CBI busted a gang allegedly indulging in cheating & manipulation during Post Graduate Medical Centre Examination in Chandigarh.  Sophisticated equipments were recovered which was being used to transmit the question papers outside the Examination Centre using Internet facility;

o   CBI registered a case and arrested 02 persons on the charges of running fake offices and fake website of Government Organizations. The accused used to create website with the National Emblem on it and invite applications for various types of jobs;

o   CBI registers a case against two Branch Managers of LIC and others for causing loss of  Rs.1.14 crore(approx) to LIC.

The Bureau secured some key Convictions in cases under trial this year, which are as follows:

o    61 accused persons were sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 1 to 7 years with fines ranging from Rs.30,000/- to Rs.30 Lakh in a fodder scam case;

o   64 accused persons were sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 2 to 6 years with a fine of Rs.20,000/- to Rs.10 Lakh in another fodder scam case;

o    An Additional Commissioner of Income Tax was sentenced to undergo 4 years Rigorous Imprisonment with a total fine of Rs.4 Lakh in a bribery case;

o   Life Imprisonment was awarded to the accused persons in a case relating to murder of Chandershekhar Prasad, ex-President, JNU Students Union;

o   17 accused persons of UP Police were sentenced to undergo Life Imprisonment for abduction and murder of Jaswinder Singh @ Jassa;

o   Delhi-based couple were sentenced to undergo 2 years Rigorous Imprisonment in a case relating to maltreatment of a minor domestic help;

o   7 accused persons were sentenced to undergo Life Imprisonment in Jabbar Murder Case;

o   Then President of a political party Shri Bangaru Laxman , convicted in a corruption Case was sentenced to undergo 4 years Imprisonment with a fine of Rs.1 Lakh;

o    An accused who was the then Forest Watcher in Distt. Pallakad (Kerala) was sentenced to undergo Life Imprisonment for murder of minor boy;

 o     29 accused persons were sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 1 to 3 years with fine ranging from Rs.25,000/- to Rs.5 Lakh in a fodder Scam Case;

 o    34 accused persons were sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 1 to 6 years with fine ranging from Rs.10,000/- to Rs.3 Lakh in a fodder Scam Case;

 o    40 accused persons were sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 4 to 7 years with fine ranging from Rs.25,000/- to Rs.2 Crore in a fodder Scam Case;

 o   Then 06 officials of UP Police were sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment of 03 to 10 years in the death of Shri Raju in police custody;

o    In a CBI case, accused were sentenced to undergo 07 years of Rigorous Imprisonment in a case relating to abduction and rape of a girl in Udhampur(J&K);

o   The Uttarakhand High Court upheld Life Imprisonment to 4 accused persons including the then Minister of UP and his wife in the Madhumita Shukla Murder case; the High Court also awarded Life Imprisonment to a fifth  accused who was acquitted earlier;

o    9 accused including a political leader Ramesh Sharma  were convicted in a case relating to cheating, forcible grab of a helicopter and its wrongful use in electioneering. The main accused was sentenced to 10 years Rigorous Imprisonment;

o   Former Chief Manager, Indian Bank was sentenced with a fine of Rs.1.56 crore in bank fraud  case

o   Two Bangladeshi nationals were sentenced to undergo 07 years of Rigorous Imprisonment after the seizure of fake Indian currency notes to the tune of Rs.45.9 Lakh from their possession;

 o   The Designated TADA Court sentenced  two accused to undergo Life Imprisonment in a case relating to murder of an Inspector of the Border Security Force;

 o   Five years Rigorous Imprisonment was awarded to Shri M.Malaichamy, then Managing Director, Khadi Gram Udyog ( an IAS officer) in a case relating of possession of disproportionate assets;

 o   Death sentence was awarded to Shri Surender Koli, the main accused in a case relating to kidnapping, rape & murder of a minor girl in Nithari (UP).  In 4 cases, investigated by CBI, the accused was tried and sentenced to death in similar offences;

 o   Three years Rigorous Imprisonment to Neera Yadav (Retd. IAS, UP-71), the then Chairperson-cum-Chief Executive Officer and Shri Rajiv Kumar(IAS, UP-83), the then Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Noida in separate cases regarding allotment of plots in Noida (Uttar Pradesh).

Also, the CBI’s Interpol wing got five absconding accused of Rajasthan’s Gold Sukh scam case  arrested in Hanoi (Vietnam), and coordinated their deportation to India.

Further, CBI hosted the 1^st & 2^nd Interpol Global Programme on Anti Corruption & Asset Recovery for Investigator and Prosecutor. The programme was attended by participants from various countries, such as Malasia; Afghanistan; Sri Lanka; Pakistan; Nepal; Indonesia; Fiji; Philipines etc.

At the last, it is mentioned here that the Interpol General Assembly decided to organise training programme at the CBI Academy, Ghaziabad for countries in the Asia Pacific Region.  Training will be imparted on issues, such as, Bio-terrorism, Investigate and Maritime Piracy and Anti Corruption.