By IANS,
Ranchi: The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) is yet to file charges against two senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officers, posted in Jharkhand, who were suspended last year on corruption charges.
The houses of the two secretary-rank officers – Avinash Kumar and Pradeep Kumar – were raided by the CBI August last year. Avinash Kumar was officer on special duty with former Jharkhand governor Syed Sibte Razi. Pradeep Kumar was the health secretary.
“The investigation against Avinash Kumar is complete and we will soon file a charge sheet against him,” a CBI official told IANS.
The probe against Pradeep Kumar, who allegedly purchased medicines, vehicles, machines and other items worth Rs.131 crore at higher rates, is in progress, he said.
The CBI official, however, declined to give any time frame for filing a charge sheet against the two IAS officers.
Avinash Kumar’s houses were raided in Ranchi, Bokaro and at other places on Aug 3 along with that of the former personal secretary of Razi, Rajesh Kumar Thakur. The CBI had filed a case of disproportionate assets against Avinash Kumar.
The Enforcement Directorate has also filed a money laundering case against Avinash Kumar. The case, filed Wednesday, says that Kumar has amassed assets worth Rs.2.13 crore against his known income of Rs.1.35 crore.
On Aug 30 last year, the CBI raided houses of Pradeep Kumar and charged him with misusing his position as health secretary in 2008-09 and purchasing medicines, vehicles, machines and other appliances worth of Rs.131 crore at higher rates.
The CBI first information report says that the public servants, in a criminal conspiracy with private persons and others, abused their official position and fraudulently and dishonestly purchased medicines, medical equipments, appliances and sundry items used in the hospitals from 19 suppliers worth Rs.131 crore.
They did not assess the actual requirement and purchased the items without observing the formalities prescribed in this regard.
The money squandered by them came from the funds allotted for the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) by the central government.