New Delhi, Jan 13 (Agency) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches at around 39 locations across the country in a massive operation against alleged nexus of channelized corruption in Food Corporation of India (FCI) and others, the Central probe agency statement said on Friday. The CBI raided at Rup Nagar, Sangrur, Morinda, Bassi Pathana Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Barnala, Mansa, Bathinda, Sunam, Budhlada, Mohali (all in Punjab), Ambala, Gurugram in Haryana, Kolar, Chikkaballapur in Karnataka, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, New Delhi and Chandigarh in the premises of accused. The agency recovered Rs 1.03 crore so far, the statement stated. Further, FDRs to the extent of over Rs 3 crore and documents pertaining to various properties were recovered during three days of searches conducted at the premises of the accused. Overall searches were conducted at 99 locations in a massive operation under the name ‘Operation Kanak’ against alleged nexus of channelized corruption adopted by FCI officials, private rice millers and grain merchants by way of paying alleged gratification for getting undue favours, it added.
During investigation, CBI arrested a Manager (Lab), FCI, DO, Chandigarh. The accused was produced before the Court and remanded to CBI Custody till January 16. Earlier, a DGM (Quality Control/Personnel) RO, Chandigarh and a Proprietor of a firm based at Kharar (Punjab) were arrested and presently both are in CBI Custody, the statement stated. A case was registered against 74 accused including serving 34 and retired officials 3 of FCI, private persons 17 and other entities. It was alleged that the huge amount of bribe was paid to FCI officials for extending favours to the private nexus operators. It was further alleged that Private rice millers and grain merchants were paying bribes to FCI officials for getting favours in accommodating procurement of low quality food grains, malpractices in day-to-day operations in unloading of food grains, managing enquiries against various malpractices, it added. It was also alleged that the officials in conspiracy with rice millers cover up the shortage in stocks and accept low quality food grains which were transported to other parts of the country. The probe is underway, it stated.