Louis Berger had set up fictitious account to pay bribes

Guwahati: The US based company Louis Berger had opened a fictitious bank account in Guwahati to pay bribes to political leaders and officials in order to win over a contract of drinking water supply project, being financed by Japanese agency in Assam.

This is what has come to light in preliminary investigation of the inquiry, ordered by Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi after the US court imposed a fine on Louis Berger for giving bribe to officials and ministers in India.

Disclosing that inquiry commission has also questioned the representative of Louis Berger in India, sources however clarified that an investigation by a specialized agency like police or CBI would be required to trail the money paid through the fictitious account.

Asserting that the inquiry commission has got some conclusive evidence about Louis Berger opening fictitious account, sources said that the commission was also looking into the process of awarding contract to find out the manipulations that may have helped Louis Berger in winning over the project.