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The Print
13 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
What is CBI's case against Tata firm, Nehru Port Trust officials booked in Rs 800 cr dredging ‘scam'
Dredging of ports involves removal of marine rocks and clay from beneath the water surface to increase the depth of the navigation channel. In the case of JNPT, the process started in May 2003. The plan was to accommodate large-size cargo ships. According to the agency, alleged irregularities inflicted a loss of Rs 365.9 crore on JNPT during the first phase of dredging, which was conducted between 2010 and 2014, and Rs 438 crore in the second phase, which was said to have been conducted between 2012 and 2019. New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked Tata Consulting Engineers, a Tata Group company, other private firms, and some officials with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), a public sector undertaking, for allegedly causing losses of nearly Rs 803 crore to the Nhava Sheva Port. In its FIR, the agency attributed said losses to alleged cartelisation in contracts and inflated bills for port dredging. On Wednesday, the CBI booked Tata Consulting Engineers project director Devdutt Bose; Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, a chief manager-level officer of the JNPT; two other firms in the marine engineering field, Mumbai-based Boskalis Smit India LLP and Chennai-based Jan De Nul Dredging India; and some unidentified public servants in the case. The CBI FIR, filed Wednesday, came more than three years after the probe agency, in June 2022, opened a preliminary enquiry (PE) into the allegations of collusion between JNPT officials and some private companies, leading to inflated estimates and restricted competition aimed at extending benefits solely to the colluding companies. Moreover, the CBI said it found that suppression of reports of independent experts and abuse of positions by JNPT officials resulted in excess payment for dredging beyond the Design Dredge Level (DDL). During the inquiry, 'the criminal conspiracy between the JNPT officials and other private persons, resulting in the wrongful loss, amounting to Rs 365.90 crore for phase-I and Rs 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging has surfaced,' a CBI official noted in the complaint, which formed the basis of the CBI FIR. Also Read: What court said while acquitting former coal secretary & joint secretary in Mahuagarhi coal block case CBI FIR on conflict of interest, excess payment Nearly seven years after receiving a detailed report to increase the depth of the navigational channel at the port, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) roped in the Tata Consulting Engineer (TCE) for a final report on the dredging plan and cost estimate. The TCE and Dredging Solution, another firm, prepared the final report in December 2010, the CBI FIR has documented. The TCE was also awarded the work of the project management consultant for the first phase. So, it was responsible for preparing tender documents and supervising project execution, the CBI FIR has further stated. Moreover, the TCE recommended three alternative dredging proposals and the modalities for each. It also recommended a second phase of the exercise to cater to the expected increased traffic at the port in 2020. Then, TCE, jointly with E&Y and Howe Engineering Project (India), prepared a final report. Similar to the final report of the first phase, Howe Engineering Project (India) suggested three alternatives for dredging to accommodate 20-foot-size ships, which have a capacity of 12,500 20-foot equivalent units. TCE was also made the project management consultant for the second phase, ignoring the conflict of interest. In the complaint to the agency, leading to an FIR, a CBI official noted a 'significant delay' in the dredging work from 2010 onwards, without proper assessment of prevailing dredging requirements since the detailed project report was prepared way back in May 2003. The investigators further noted that while the first phase was in progress, JNPT management led by Sunil Kumar Madabhavi had already assigned TCE the work to write the final report for the second phase. The second phase of the project began and the payment for it made based on the TCE report in violation of the JNPT board-adopted project note, which explicitly mentioned that the two phases of dredging would be taken up separately. The CBI FIR has noted that in the first phase, the excess dredging, 14.85 million cubic metre beyond the DDL, resulted in a Rs 365.90 crore excess payment, a loss for the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. 'JNPT officials, in connivance with the PMC (project management consultant) and contractor, have also made an excess payment of Rs.430 crores to the contractor for over dredging made in Phase-II,' the FIR has stated. According to the CBI FIR, two different software were used to conduct the survey before and after the second phase of dredging. The pre-dredging survey used one software known for accuracy and widely accepted globally. However, the post-dredging survey used software patented by one of the parties in the deal on the behest of one Devdutt Bose, the project director on behalf of TCE, the FIR has claimed. Additionally, the CBI FIR alleged that Bose, along with JNPT chief manager in the planning, projects, and development (PP&D) department Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, hatched a conspiracy to allow shadow bidding by a joint venture between Boskalis Smit India LLP and Jan De Nul Dredging India and extended undue financial favours, including payments amounting to Rs 348 crore to the companies in the second phase for work already executed in the first phase, without any such work taking place. 'The above acts of commission and omission on the part of 1) Shri Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, the then Chief Manager (PP&D), JNPT, 2) Shri Devdutt Bose, Project Director with M/s TCE, 3) M/s Tata Consulting Engineers, 4) M/s BoskalisSmit India LLP, 5) M/s Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd. and 6) other unknown public servant and private persons, disclose commission of offences punishable U/s 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC r/w 420 (cheating) of IPC and Section 13 (2) r/w 13(1) (d) of PC Act, 1988 (un-amended) and substantive offences thereof. Therefore, it is requested that a regular case may be registered against the above mentioned persons,' the CBI official documented. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Another closure report in 2010 CWG 'scam'. Here's what happened to the 19 FIRs filed since 2010
Mint
14 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
CBI files FIR against ex-officers of JNPT, Tata firm over ₹800 cr irregularities in dredging project; conducts searches
The CBI has registered a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), as well as as two dredging companies, alleging irregularities worth more than ₹ 800 crore. As per officials, the alleged irregularities are linked to the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai. The federal investigative agency's action comes after three years of a preliminary inquiry that took a look into accusations of inflated estimates, halting of competition to benefit international bidders, extending undue favours to contactors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations. The CBI in its FIR has booked named then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants. The case has been lodged under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the registration of its FIR, the CBI searched five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the homes of Madabhavi and Bose, and offices of private companies. The searches led to the recovery of a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants, a CBI spokesperson said. The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement. No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies. 'The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired,' the CBI said in the FIR. The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to ₹ 365.90 crore for phase-I and ₹ 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging. The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with the Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships. TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project, which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution. TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the project, the FIR alleged. The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the joint venture by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV).
NDTV
17 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
CBI Finds Losses Over Rs 4,200 Crore In JNPA Dredging Project Corruption Case
New Delhi: Financial losses of over Rs 4,200 crore have been flagged by the CBI in a corruption case linked to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority dredging project, NDTV Profit reported. The case has exposed deep-rooted corruption, inflated costs, and rigged contracts. A huge network of criminal conspiracy involved manipulated tenders, suppressed competition, and collusion between officials and private firms. The investigation centred around senior officials of JNPA and executives from Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE). It found a pattern of systemic irregularities and abuse of authority. The CBI's complaint highlighted two main instances of over-dredging that led to wrongful losses of Rs 365.90 crore in Phase-I and Rs 438 crore in Phase-II. These figures are presented as key findings that initially surfaced during the enquiry. However, the investigation goes much deeper. The CBI document explicitly notes that these losses are part of a broader web of financial misconduct and criminal conspiracy, which includes inflated estimates, tender manipulation, and rigged bidding processes. Some of the most serious findings were: Rs 1,163 crore was added to the project cost due to the choice of a deeper 15-meter vessel draft (Option II) over the originally proposed 14-meter draft (Option I), without reassessment or justification. A Rs 557 crore loss resulted from the adoption of composite dredging rates for hard and weathered rock, along with unnecessary pretreatment costs, instead of using differential rates. The violation of PIANC (Permanent International Association of Navigation Congresses) guidelines led to Rs 964 crore in losses due to unauthorized channel widening in both phases. An additional Rs 430 crore was paid for over-dredging during Phase-II, despite no supporting evidence of required depth. Sources told NDTV Profit that CBI officials said all accused, including former JNPA Chief Manager Sunil Kumar Madabhavi and Devdutt Bose of TCE, will be summoned for questioning. "The investigation is ongoing, with further financial and criminal liabilities likely to emerge," a source added.
Mint
18 hours ago
- Business
- Mint
CBI files FIR against ex-officers of JNPT, TCE over ₹800 crore irregularities in dredging project; conducts searches
The CBI has registered a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), as well as as two dredging companies, alleging irregularities worth more than ₹ 800 crore. As per officials, the alleged irregularities are linked to the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai. The federal investigative agency's action comes after three years of a preliminary inquiry that took a look into accusations of inflated estimates, halting of competition to benefit international bidders, extending undue favours to contactors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations. The CBI in its FIR has booked named then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants. The case has been lodged under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the registration of its FIR, the CBI searched five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the homes of Madabhavi and Bose, and offices of private companies. The searches led to the recovery of a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants, a CBI spokesperson said. The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement. No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies. 'The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired,' the CBI said in the FIR. The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to ₹ 365.90 crore for phase-I and ₹ 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging. The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with the Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships. TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project, which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution. TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the project, the FIR alleged. The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the joint venture by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV). The CBI inquiry also showed violation of a number of guidelines related to fixation of rates for dredging different type of rocks, delay in project, false claim of ₹ 348 crore by the contractor without actual performance of work, excess payment of ₹ 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey by using a less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among others.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
CBI books ex-officials of Tata firm, JNPA in ₹800 crore project fraud case. What investigation found
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against former officials of Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and and two dredging companies over alleged irregularities worth over ₹ 800 crore in the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai, news agency PTI reported, citing officials. The CBI, in its FIR, has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants.(Pic for representational purpose only) The federal investigative agency acted following a three-year preliminary inquiry into allegations that included inflated project estimates, manipulation of competition to benefit foreign bidders, granting undue favours to contractors, and the suppression of findings from independent expert bodies. The CBI, in its FIR, has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. After the FIR was registered on Wednesday, the CBI conducted searches at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the residence of Madabhavi, Bose and offices of private companies. A CBI spokesperson said the searches recovered a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices, and documents showing investments made by public servants. The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement. No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies, the PTI report said. "The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired," the CBI said in the FIR. The CBI probe found The inquiry revealed a criminal conspiracy involving officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), private individuals, including an executive from Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and others. This alleged collusion resulted in wrongful losses of ₹ 365.90 crore during Phase-I and ₹ 438 crore in Phase-II of the dredging project due to over-dredging. 365.90 crore during Phase-I and 438 crore in Phase-II of the dredging project due to over-dredging. The case stems from a project initiated by JNPT in 2003 to deepen and widen the shared navigational channel with Mumbai Port to accommodate larger cargo vessels. TCE was engaged to prepare the final report for Capital Dredging Phase-I, which it submitted in 2010 in collaboration with Dredging Solution. The company was also appointed as the project management consultant, responsible for drafting tender documents and supervising project execution, according to the FIR. The CBI's preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials, in collusion with TCE executives, structured the tender conditions to favour international bidders. They allegedly violated Competition Commission of India (CCI) norms by permitting complimentary bidding and enabling the formation of a joint venture between Boskalis Smit India LLP and Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (BSI-JDN JV), the only qualified bidders. The probe also highlighted multiple violations, including irregularities in rate fixation for different rock types, delays in project execution, a false claim of ₹ 348 crore by the contractor for unexecuted work, excess payments amounting to ₹ 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey using less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among other issues. (With inputs from PTI)
