CBI gives clean cheat to all in IIP fund swindling case

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) Anti Corruption Branch, Mumbai has recommended closure of a case registered against the then director of Indian Institute of Packaging (IIP) NC Shaha and others in the year 2017.

In a letter to the Ministry of Commerce, the CBI has given a clean cheat to all the officials of IIP, including

Shekar Amberkar, who had been accused in the matter of irregularities in awarding

contracts to ineligible contractors.

The CBI in its letter to the ministry maintained that the investigation revealed that not any individual, but Standard Purchase Committee-II (SPC-II) was responsible for following the proper tendering process as per GFR, 2005. The central agency also

maintained that only procedural lapses in performance of duties do not reveal the criminality.

"The case was based on the objections raised by the audit team and it is found that auditors had calculated a wrong projection of loss on the basis of limited information/documents. They had not done the in-depth analysis by calling for additional information/documents available with the institute. It resulted in avoidable harassment to public servants," the CBI stated in its letter dated July 18 marked to VK Singh, deputy secretary in the Commerce Ministry.

"It has been decided not to move for prosecution against any of the accused in the instant case nor is any regular departmental action recommended against any of the accused public servant," the CBI said in its letter.

The central agency further stated that in lack of cogent evidence, no offence is made out in the present case and the CBI has decided to approach the competent court for the closure of case as the allegations are not substantiated against the accused persons.