CBI files charge sheet against ex-NHAI official over irregularities in tender allotment

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet at a Special Court against the then National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) Regional Officer, Jammu Hem Raj, contractor Rakesh Kumar Chaudhary and some unknown persons in connection with irregularities in the allotment of a tender worth over Rs 9 crore.

The tender was floated to carry out work related to the improvement and maintenance of a section of a road in Jammu.

The case was registered on March 24 against Hem Raj and others on the allegations of irregularities in awarding the tender for improvement and routine maintenance of the Lakhanpur-Jammu section for Rs 9.34 crore.

According to CBI, searches was earlier conducted at seven places including at Jammu, Chandigarh, and Ropar which led to recovery of cash of Rs 67 lakh (approximately) and other documents and digital devices from the premises of the accused.

During the investigation, it was found that the experience certificates submitted by the accused along with its bid were forged and were considered by the Tender Evaluation Committee for the award of the tender.

"It was further alleged that the then Regional officer, NHAI, entered a conspiracy with the private person and favoured the said Private Company by not properly verifying the genuineness of experience certificates and overlooking the lack of experience of the firm. In pursuance to said conspiracy, the public servant falsely showed dispatch of verification letters but did not actually dispatch the same," said a CBI officer.

"After investigation, a charge sheet has been filed," the official added.