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Corruption in India: CBI investigates bribery allegations against Military Engineering Services officials

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2023

Priyal Singh, Mumbai Uncensored, 23rd February, 2023:

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating a complaint filed against two officials of the Military Engineering Services (MES) for allegedly demanding a bribe from a civil contractor. According to the complaint, the officials purposely raised queries in the construction and stopped further work on the Half DASC Platoon site, which was awarded to M/s Nikaash Infracon by the MES. The CBI has taken cognizance of the complaint and is conducting an investigation into the matter.

The complainant, a civil contractor named Shri Tushar Anantrao Desale, has been working as a sub-contractor with M/s Nikaash Infracon for the past 2-3 years, executing all civil works on behalf of the company. The contract for the civil work of the Half DASC Platoon site was awarded to M/s Nikaash Infracon by the Central Government agency i.e. Military Engineering Services (MES), Nashik Road Camp, Nashik. The work site is located in the campus of MES, Nashik Road Camp, Nashik.

It is alleged that after the work was completed up to the first floor, Shri Himanshu Mishra, Assistant Garrison Engineer(AGE), MES, Nashik, and Shri Milind Wadile Junior Engineer (JE), purposely raised queries in the constructions and stopped the further construction of the 2nd floor. The complainant further alleged that the running bill of Rs. 22.85 Lakhs was sanctioned and received by him, and that 3 to 4 days before giving the complaint to CBI, Shri Himanshu Mishra, AGE, and Shri Milind Wadile, JE, demanded a bribe of Rs. 90,000/- in total (2% of the total RAR bill) for allowing the work to proceed. When the complainant did not fulfill the demand of the remaining bribe amount, his work of 2nd floor was stopped by Shri Himanshu Mishra and Shri Milind Wadile purposely by raising some queries in construction.

The CBI conducted a verification of the complaint and recorded the conversation between officers, Shri Himanshu Mishra, Shri Milind Wadile, and the complainant Shri Tushar Anantrao Desale on a Micro SD card with the help of Digital Voice Recorder (DVR). During the verification, it was revealed that there was a demand for undue advantage of 2% of the RAR bill amount of Rs. 22.85 Lakhs, which is around Rs. 45,000/- out of which Shri Milind Wadile, JE agreed to take Rs. 20,000/-. The CBI has recorded two Verification Panchnamas dated 28.09.2022 and 12.10.2022 and is taking further action in this matter.

This incident highlights the ongoing issue of corruption in India and the need for strict action against those involved in it. It is a clear indication of the rampant corruption that often hinders the country’s development. The CBI’s prompt action to investigate this matter is a positive step towards holding those responsible accountable for their actions. It is essential for India to continue its fight against corruption and take necessary measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. Only then can India hope to achieve its goals of becoming a corruption-free country and a world leader in economic and social development.

In India, there are several laws and regulations in place to prevent and punish corrupt practices such as bribery. The Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 is the primary law governing corruption-related offenses in India. The act criminalizes the act of offering or accepting any gratification, either directly or indirectly, to perform or abstain from performing any official act. It also makes it an offense to obtain any valuable thing or pecuniary advantage by corrupt or illegal means.

Additionally, the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC) has several provisions that criminalize corrupt practices. Sections 161-165A of the IPC deal with offenses related to taking or giving bribes, while Section 420 deals with cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property. These laws have been enforced by various government agencies, including the CBI, to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption.

In this particular case, the CBI’s investigation is being conducted under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and if found guilty, the accused officials could face imprisonment for a term ranging from 6 months to 7 years and a fine. The CBI’s efforts in this matter serve as a reminder of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption and upholding the rule of law in the country.

It is essential for individuals and institutions to adhere to these laws and work towards creating a corruption-free society, which will enable India to achieve its full potential as a nation.

India has long struggled with corruption, which has been identified as a major obstacle to economic development and social progress in the country. In recent years, there have been some positive developments in the fight against corruption, including the establishment of a dedicated anti-corruption agency, the Central Vigilance Commission, and the introduction of several important pieces of legislation aimed at preventing and punishing corrupt activities.

One of the most significant of these laws is the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), which was first enacted in 1988 and has been updated several times since then. The PCA provides a framework for combating corruption in both the public and private sectors and establishes several key offenses related to bribery, extortion, and other corrupt activities. Under the PCA, those found guilty of corruption can face severe penalties, including imprisonment and fines.

Another important law in this context is the Right to Information Act (RTI), which was enacted in 2005 and provides citizens with a powerful tool for holding public officials accountable. The RTI allows individuals to request information from government agencies and public authorities, including information related to the allocation of public resources and the decisions made by public officials. This law has helped to increase transparency and reduce opportunities for corrupt activities in many areas of government.

It is also worth noting that India has taken steps to improve its ranking on global corruption indices, such as the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) published annually by Transparency International. In recent years, India has moved up several places on the CPI, reflecting a perception that the country is making progress in its efforts to combat corruption. However, there is still a long way to go, and incidents like the one involving the MES officials serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenge of fighting corruption in India.

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Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants: Two Bangladeshi Nationals Arrested in Delhi

Published

1 hour ago

December 23, 2024

Admin

Security personnel outside Kejriwal s residence on 1711047911075

In a recent effort to address the issue of illegal immigration, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s (L-G) Secretariat has launched a crackdown on undocumented immigrants from Bangladesh. As part of this operation, two Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in the Hazrat Nizamuddin area for overstaying without valid documents, police confirmed on Friday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast Delhi), Ravi Kumar Singh, revealed that the arrested individuals, identified as Abdul Ahad (22) and Mohammad Azizul (32), were apprehended on December 10 and 12, respectively. Both men were found to have been living in India without legal authorization and have been handed over to the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) for deportation proceedings.

Ongoing Verification Drive
DCP Singh shared that 916 individuals in Southeast Delhi have been verified during the crackdown so far. Out of these, eight illegal immigrants, including six Bangladeshis, have been detained. Several police teams have been deployed to carry out verifications as part of this intensified operation.

During questioning, Abdul Ahad, who works as a laborer and hails from Sylhet in Bangladesh, admitted to entering India on December 6 with the help of a Bangladeshi agent to seek employment. Meanwhile, Mohammad Azizul, a resident of Dhaka, disclosed that he had entered India in 2004 through the Petrapole-Benapole border in West Bengal and had been residing in the country ever since.

Landlords Unaware of Foreigners Act Provisions
Police also noted that many landlords in the area were unaware of the mandatory provisions of the Foreigners Act, 1946, which require landlords and hotel operators to report foreign tenants to the FRRO within 24 hours of their arrival.

The crackdown, which was ordered by Delhi L-G V K Saxena, is part of a two-month drive aimed at identifying and deporting illegal immigrants from Bangladesh residing in the capital.

Crime News

Bangladeshi Man Swims Across River to Enter India, Caught by Border Forces

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2024

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A 21-year-old Bangladeshi national, Jiban Barman, was apprehended by the Border Security Force (BSF) after swimming across the Korotwa River into India. The incident occurred in West Bengal’s Rajganj, where the man, a student from Thakurgaon Government College in Bangladesh’s Rangpur district, sought refuge after fleeing alleged torture in his home country. He was later handed over to the police for further investigation.

This event follows closely on the heels of another case involving a 17-year-old girl from Bangladesh, who crossed into India the previous day to escape threats and violence targeting her family. The girl, an ISKCON devotee, revealed that her family had been facing persecution as members of the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh. She claimed that fundamentalists had threatened to kidnap her and harm her family, prompting her desperate flight to safety.

Growing Concerns Over Communal Violence in Bangladesh
Recent reports indicate a surge in communal violence across Bangladesh, with the Hindu minority community increasingly targeted. ISKCON devotees have become a particular focus of attacks following the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Dhaka on November 25. Incidents of mob violence, threats, and property vandalism have been widely reported, raising serious concerns about the safety and well-being of minority communities in the region.

The BSF and local authorities continue to monitor the border areas as more individuals attempt to cross into India seeking refuge from violence and persecution.

Crime News

Seven Illegal Bangladeshi Immigrants Arrested in Udupi

Published

20 hours ago

December 22, 2024

Admin

In a significant operation, Udupi district police have apprehended seven Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the Malpe fishing harbor area since 2017. The individuals were found in possession of counterfeit Aadhaar cards, which they allegedly used to secure employment and housing.

Details of the Arrest:

Location: Malpe fishing harbor area, Udupi district.

Residency Period: The accused have been living in the area since 2017.

Fake Identification: The immigrants possessed forged Aadhaar cards, facilitating their stay and employment in the region.

Police Action:

The operation was conducted following a tip-off about the presence of illegal immigrants in the area. The arrested individuals have been charged under relevant sections of the Foreigners Act and the Indian Penal Code for forgery and illegal stay. They are currently in judicial custody pending further investigation.

Implications:

This incident underscores the challenges faced by authorities in monitoring and controlling illegal immigration, particularly in coastal regions where economic opportunities in sectors like fishing can attract undocumented workers. The use of fake identification documents also raises concerns about the effectiveness of current verification processes and the potential for such documents to be used in other illegal activities.

Official Statement:

A senior police official stated, “We are intensifying our efforts to identify and apprehend illegal immigrants in the district. The use of forged documents to obtain employment and housing is a serious offense, and we urge the public to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.”

Community Response:

Local residents have expressed relief over the arrests but also concern about the possibility of more illegal immigrants residing in the area. Community leaders have called for increased vigilance and cooperation with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of the region.

Next Steps:

The police are conducting further investigations to determine how the forged Aadhaar cards were obtained and whether there is a larger network facilitating such illegal activities. Authorities are also reviewing current verification processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of illegal immigration and the need for robust measures to detect and prevent the use of counterfeit identification documents.