CBI Conducts Searches At 11 Locations In Delhi, Nagaland In Bribe Money Recovery Case Involving IAS Officer

The CBI said that it has carried out searches at a total of 11 locations at the premises of three accused in a case related to the recovery of unaccounted cash amounting to the tune of Rs 71.5 lakhs.

Guwahati: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday said that it has carried out searches at a total of 11 locations at the premises of three accused, in New Delhi and Nagaland, in a case related to the recovery of unaccounted cash amounting to the tune of Rs 71.5 lakh approximately, that is alleged to be bribe money. The CBI also said that the searches led to recovery of incriminating documents and digital devices, among others.

The Central investigating agency in a press release said that it registered the instant case against the Additional Secretary of the Nagaland Department of Agriculture, Jitendra Gupta, Nagaland Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), Rampaukai, and Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in Nagaland Animal Husbandry Department, Auto Vihoi.

It was stated that the accused have been working under the project ‘FOCUS’ (Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming Systems). It has been further alleged that consequent upon recovery of the cash amount of Rs 71.50 lakh from the possession of the accused while they were travelling from Nagaland’s Dimapur to New Delhi by air, questioning was carried out by the Income Tax (IT) department. 

"On the basis of the disclosures made by the accused, it was allegedly discovered that the cash amount belonged to accused Additional Secretary who had received the same as bribe from various persons associated with the project for approving the bills," the CBI added in the press release.

It was further alleged that the said accused had conspired in receiving and transporting the bribe amount to New Delhi. Notably, Jitendra Gupta is a 2013-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) cadre. Investigation is underway, the CBI further stated in the press release.

According to the Nagaland government’s project ‘FOCUS’ website, the overall goal of the project is to increase the agricultural income of 1,18,000 households and to enhance their resilience to climate change, which would be achieved through the development objective of increasing environmental sustainability and profitability of farming systems practiced by the highland farmers.  

The writer is a senior independent journalist covering the Northeast.

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