CBI takes over probe into Yamuna Expressway scam

New Delhi, December 25

The CBI has taken over probe into the alleged Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) land scam by registering an FIR that names former CEO PC Gupta and 20 others.

The agency has reportedly re-registered the UP Police’s FIR that alleges YEIDA paid Rs 85.49 crore for 57.15 acres in seven villages of Mathura for development around the 165-km expressway connecting Greater Noida with Agra.

The CBI registered a case of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.

The UP Police in its FIR had alleged that Gupta, in criminal conspiracy with his relatives and associates, purchased land from farmers and sold it to YEIDA within 4-6 months, thus causing loss to the exchequer.

In its internal investigation, YEIDA had pegged the loss to the exchequer at Rs 126 crore, but the FIR refers to the payment of Rs 85.49 crore from the authority to alleged cronies of Gupta, who was its CEO during 2013-15. He also served YEIDA as its additional CEO and deputy CEO.

The police report, now part of the CBI FIR, states that Gupta’s relatives and cronies allegedly purchased land at cheap rates through sham companies and sold it at more than twice their purchase price to YEIDA, causing loss to the exchequer.

Officials claimed the land was of no use for the authority and it still remained unused. The land was mostly purchased during 2013-15 while the Samajwadi Party was in power in Uttar Pradesh. On July 24 last year, the state government recommended a CBI probe into alleged irregularities and it was forwarded to the agency by the Centre after 15 months, on October 24. — TNS