New Delhi, July 6: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday carried out a major nationwide crackdown by conducting coordinated searches at 26 locations across 11 States and Union Territories in connection with an alleged misappropriation of funds in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). The searches were conducted as part of investigations into four criminal cases involving suspected financial irregularities and fraudulent payments.
According to the CBI, the searches were carried out in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
The agency said the cases relate to alleged irregularities in the deployment of casual labourers and fraudulent payments made in the names of fake workers under Project Vijayak and Project Yojak in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The four FIRs were registered on the basis of criminal complaints filed by the Ministry of Defence following an internal inquiry conducted by the Technical Board of Officers of the BRO, which reportedly uncovered serious financial irregularities.
The CBI stated that the offences under investigation include misappropriation of government funds, cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust, criminal conspiracy, besides offences of criminal misconduct and bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Investigators have named 10 BRO officers, including officials holding the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Major and Engineers, along with certain private individuals, in the FIRs in connection with the alleged scam.
During the searches, the agency recovered several incriminating documents and digital evidence, which are being examined as part of the ongoing investigation. The CBI said the evidence collected during the raids is expected to play a crucial role in establishing the alleged financial misconduct.
Reiterating its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency, the CBI said it is conducting a comprehensive investigation and aims to complete the probe at the earliest possible time. The agency added that further investigation into the case is continuing.(KNC)
