CBI begins probe in Rs 40 lakh case

Chennai: The CBI had begun a probe into an alleged kickback of Rs 40 lakh received by two Port Blair engineers of Andaman & Lakshadweep Harbour Works six years ago from contractor engaged to construct shore protection works worth Rs 11.42 crore for 1,600 metres.

The officers against whom the CBI registered FIR are N. Manickavelu, suspended deputy chief engineer, ALHW, K. Balasubramanian, junior engineer, ALHW, of Port Blair along with representatives of the contracting firm A. Manickam & Sons in Port Blair.  

The sleuths had unearthed as many as 7 bank transactions totally worth over Rs 40 lakh to bank accounts Tamil Nadu and Port Blair belonging to the two officers during the year 2010 and 2011.

While Manickavelu had received Rs 10 lakh to his account in a bank in KK Nagar, Chennai from Manickam and Sons account in Port Blair. While other six transactions of the contracting firm showed that it had transferred funds to the tune of Rs 30 lakh to K. Balasubramanian's bank accounts in Port Blair and Madurai, the CBI FIR said.

According to CBI, all these transactions showed that the huge payment received by the officers from Manickam & Sons because they were in a position to show undue favours to the contracting firm.

Dates and occasions on which transactions were directly linked to the execution of the work and payments received by the contractor. The CBI had slapped a case under sections of criminal conspiracy, cheating, acceptance of illegal gratification and criminal misconduct by a public servant. The officers were also booked under the prevention of corruption act.