Naveen Uraon
THE Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet under section 120-B r/w sections 201, 511 r/w Section 420 of IPC; Sec. 7, 9, 12 & 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) & (d) and Section 14 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against 11 accused persons including, then Commandant (Lt. General, Retired), National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune; then Staff Officer to the Commandant (Colonel Rank Officer); then Physical Training Officer (Colonel Rank Officer); then Establishment Officer and three other officials all working in National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune; then official of CAFVD, Khadki, Pune; then Store Keeper, Ordnance Depot, Dehu Road, Pune and two private persons in connection with alleged recruitment of Group ‘C’ posts at National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune, during the year 2012.
A case was registered on June 22, 2012 against then Staff Officer to the Commandant, National Defence Academy (NDA), Khadakwasla, Pune and others on the allegations that during May and June, 2012, the Staff Officer to the Commandant, NDA abused his official position and entered into criminal conspiracy with other private persons to cheat the Government and to obtain illegal gratifications from the applicants for the recruitment of 97 posts of Group ‘C’ employees, including Lower Division Clerk, Civilian Motor Driver, Cook, Mali, Chowkidar, Safaiwala etc. It was further alleged that in pursuance of the said conspiracy, the accused persons obtained huge illegal gratifications from a number of candidates by promising them confirmed appointment to the said posts. The accused had allegedly shown undue favour to candidates in physical and written examinations conducted for the said recruitment.
Among those arrested were Colonel Kulbir Singh, staff officer to NDA Commandant Lt Gen Jatinder Singh, NDA employee Ramesh Gaikwad, Bal Kishen Kanojia — who runs a food stall in Pune, his employee Vishnu Sharma and two alleged touts Manoj Sheetal Kar and Dattatre Sheetal Kar. Col Singh, who belongs to the Guards regiment, was arrested from the Colaba military station. The accused persons had allegedly taken signatures of those candidates, who had agreed to pay the bribe, on blank sheets and later filled them with correct answers through fraudulent means. Searches were conducted at the premises of accused persons which led to recovery of a large number of incriminating documents and huge amount of cash.
CBI said while Rs 4 lakh was seized from the residence of Col Singh, another Rs 82 lakh was seized from the residence of an associate of the Army officer who was quizzed. Rs 50 lakh cash was recovered from Kanojia and Rs 18 lakh from Gaikwad’s residence. The remaining Rs 3 lakh and Rs 3.20 lakh were recovered from Manoj Sheetal Kar and Vishnu Sharma’s residences respectively.
After thorough investigation, CBI filed charge sheet against accused public servants and private persons.
The public is reminded that the above findings are based on the investigation done by CBI and evidence collected by it. Under the Indian Law, the accused are presumed to be innocent till their guilt is finally established after a fair trial.