Jaipur:
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought payment related records from the engineers of Urban Improvement Trust (UIT), in Kota, in order to investigate the allegations made by late Ajay Gupta, a Delhi-based businessman. Delhi police is also assisting anti-corruption bureau officials by sharing details of investigation related to his suicide.
The ACB had registered complaint against engineers of UIT, Kota and JDA, who were not clearing Gupta's payments of more than Rs 7 crores, without greasing their (engineers') palm, on December 15.
But Gupta, who was on brink of bankruptcy due to stuck payments, had committed suicide two weeks before ACB woke up to registered preliminary complaint.
On December 18, the state government had put five engineers -- SK Pancholi, director engineering JDA, VK Golecha, additional chief engineer Kota UIT, JP Singhal, executive engineer JDA, CP Vijayvargiya, executive engineer Kota UIT, and JP Sharma, assistant engineer -- on APO to prevent any interference with the investigation.
On Tuesday, the ACB officials sought records from UIT to investigate the amount, which was not paid to contractors even after completion of projects.
"We have started the investigation in the case and we are checking the records of UIT to look into role of engineers in withholding the payments," an official said. Meanwhile, a team of officials will also interrogate engineers of the JDA as Gupta had alleged that an amount of Rs 2 crore was not released by two officials of the JDA.
A senior official of bureau said that there was no need of separate investigation, which was initiated by the state government, as it might affect bureau's investigation.
He also said that departmental officials might give benefit to 'accused' engineers thus posing hurdle for bureau investigation.
Meanwhile, anti-corruption officials are in constant touch with Delhi police, who are investigating Gupta's suicide.
Official sources said that Delhi police has given details about Gupta's financial condition and his communication with engineers and friends before he committed suicide.
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