Chandigarh: CBI court frames charges against three in FCI procurement scam

Chandigarh, January 16

A CBI court has framed charges against Rajeev Kumar Mishra, DGM (Quality Control), FCI, Satish Kumar Verma, Manager, and Ravinder Singh Kheda, a mill owner, in an alleged nationwide multi-crore procurement scam.

DGM in dock

• RK Mishra, DGM, was held for ‘accepting’ a bribe of Rs 50,000 for approving low quality grain
• A case was registered against 74 persons, including 34 serving and three retired FCI officials
• The CBI probed the scam for six months under ‘Operation Kanak’

The charges have been framed for offences punishable under Section 120-B of the IPC and Sections 7, 7(b), 7A, 8, 11 & 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, to which the accused pleaded not guilty.

The CBI had arrested Mishra, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 50,000 from Khera on January 10, 2023. A case was registered against 74 persons, including 34 serving and three retired FCI officials, and 20 rice mills.

The CBI had investigated the scam for six months under “Operation Kanak” and filed a chargesheet against the accused in March last year.

The CBI said it was the duty of Mishra to supervise the quality of the stock procured and maintenance of the quality during storage. It alleged Mishra inspected many depots and came to office during leave only to collect bribe money.

Several officers in connivance with mill owners caused loss to the government by accepting lower quality of the grain, the CBI alleged, adding officers from senior rank to lower were involved.