CBI files chargesheet against senior Puducherry govt official, five others in criminal conspiracy case

PUDUCHERRY: The anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation, Chennai, on Friday filed a chargesheet in a special court against a senior government official and five others on charges of abusing their official position and cheating the Puducherry government to the tune of Rs 7.52 crore.
The CBI filed the chargesheet against secretary (education, local administration, power and port) G Ragesh Chandra, who earlier served as district collector, government higher secondary school assistant M Venkatesan, who earlier served as sub-registrar (revenue), retired commissioner (Yanam municipality) A V S Subramanian, who earlier served as Puducherry district registrar, Pondicherry Paper Mill limited (PPML) directors C Subha Singh, S Maheswaran and R Rajarathinam and Navasakthi Township Developers Private Limited managing director K I Manirathinem.
The CBI charged that Venkatesan, Subramanian and Ragesh Chandra entered into a criminal conspiracy with Manirathinem by abusing their official position as public servants and cheated the Puducherry government by selling the government land measuring 5.6 hectares thereby causing a loss of Rs 7.52 crore to the government and benefiting individuals and the private firm.
The investigation agency booked all the six people under sections 120-B (punishment of criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code and 13 (2) and 13 (1) (d) (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The agency said PPML approached the government seeking 12 hectares of land for setting up a paper mill for a public cause pointing out that the industry will generate direct employment to 500 people and indirect employment to more than 1,500 people.
It also said the mill would create opportunities for setting up several ancillary units near the mill.
Accepting the proposal, the Puducherry government acquired 5.6 hectares of land and handed the property to PPML after receiving Rs 1.64 lakh in 1977 with a condition that the land must be returned back to the government if the property could not be used for public cause.
The mill was closed in 2001 due to escalating labour cost, inadequate water supply and problems in getting clearance from pollution control committee. The board of directors of the mill decided to sell the properties and settle the outstanding debts.
Subha Singh sold a party of property to Manirathinem in 2009 and also the rest to the same person in 2010 suppressing the fact that the property should be returned to the government if not used for the public cause. Manirathinem included the land in the proposed satellite township project.
The then sub-registrar (Venkatesan) did not raise any objection during the registration. The then district collector (Ragesh Chandra) directed the then district registrar (Subramanian) to conduct an inquiry into the episode and initiate appropriate action. Subramanian concluded his inquiry that there was no basis for any wrong doing by Venkatesan.
Ragesh Chandra accepted the explanation and did not take any action against Venkatesan and others, who sold government property illegally.
He kept the concerned file without taking any action for about three years in his personal custody even though the government was having the right to resume the land. He could have declared the transfer of land to company as null and void for violation. He could have initiated action against the private parties and firm, the CBI said.
Ragesh Chandra was earlier booked by the CBI in 2011 for allegedly indulging in corrupt practices while awarding contract of Rs 89 crore for tsunami housing projects. He surrendered before a local court and was granted bail. However, he was later discharged from the case in 2014.