CBI probes a record number of babus

A record number of IAS officers, 24, have been investigated by the CBI in corruption cases between January 2011 and March this year. They came under the agency's scanner for their alleged role in land scams, disproportionate assets cases and for taking policy decisions that favoured private parties, according to information available with the CBI.

The alleged role of many of these bureaucrats came to light through responses to RTI queries. CBI officials said the agency had secured sanction for prosecuting many of these officers under Section 19 A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and would soon file chargesheets. It is mandatory for the CBI to get the approval of the Department of Personnel and Training to prosecute officials.

Some of the high-profile bureaucrats under investigation:

JAIRAJ PHATAK: The 1978-batch, Maharashtra-cadre officer is accused in the Adarsh Housing Society scam. Phatak had served as principal secretary in the state urban development department. He is accused of allowing the height of the building in Mumbai to be raised beyond 100m without the approval of the high-rise committee of the civic body. His son got a flat in Adarsh, allegedly as quid pro quo.

PRADEEP VYAS: A co-accused in the Adarsh scam, Vyas was arrested by the CBI recently. A 1989-batch IAS officer of the Maharashtra cadre, Vyas, during his tenure as district collector of Mumbai from August 2002 to May 2005, allegedly connived with the other accused and accepted false documents as proof of of income and granted membership to Adarsh to those not eligible. His wife Seema Vyas, also an IAS officer, owns a flat in Adarsh.

K SURESH KUMAR: A 1982-batch, Madhya Pradesh-cadre IAS officer, Kumar has been booked for allegedly allowing the berthing of a foreign vessel in violation of rules in 2007. The ship allegedly had neither valid papers nor crew on board. By allowing it to dock and not collecting payments, including additional berth hire charges, demurrage and legal expenses, a loss of over Rs 20 crore was allegedly caused to the government. The CBI seized Rs 2.36 crore during raids on Kumar's home.

... contd.

ALSO READ

Pawar to seek special package for state

Verdict in Dec 16 rape case expected by month-end: Neeraj Kumar

China incursion: Both sides withdraw troops from Daulat Beg Oldi sector

Sonia Gandhi consults A K Antony on Pawan Bansal issue