CBI books former Punjab bureaucrat for ` 6.4-cr kickback
NEW DELHI: After a year-long inquiry, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered an FIR against Jivtesh Singh Maini, a former Punjab principal secretary to then chief minister Beant Singh, and his family members for allegedly receiving a bribe of $1 million (about `6.4 crore) to swing a joint venture between Indian cooperative society Kribhco and Norwegian fertiliser major Yara in 2007.
CBI sources said that during the inquiry, the agency found prima facie evidence of an alleged pay-off to Maini, a 1974batch IAS officer of the Punjab cadre, and his sons GS Maini and TS Maini by Yara for securing a joint venture with Krishak Bharati Co-operative Limited (Kribhco) in 2007.
The sources said on Saturday that the CBI has registered a case against Maini, then additional secretary in the finance ministry, and his two sons and their wives, besides unnamed officials of Yara and Kribhco.
“No involvement of any Kribhco official has emerged so far. We will co-operate with the legal process,” Kribhco chairman Chandrapal Singh Yadav said.
CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said a case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code. “Searches were conducted at two places in Delhi and one place in Chandigarh. Documents have been seized,” she said.
Sources said the Lajpat Nagar office of Rhine and Ravi (a company owned by Maini’s son), a farm house in Sainik Farms, and a residential address in Chandigarh were searched.
Maini was the principal secretary to Beant Singh from February 1992 to August 1995.
CBI FOUND EVIDENCE OF AN ALLEGED PAY-OFF TO MAINI FOR SECURING A JOINT VENTURE BETWEEN KRIBHCO AND NORWEGIAN FIRM