Gurugram, Sep 12 (PTI) The Haryana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against 11 individuals, including top former municipal officials and three contractors, for alleged financial irregularities in a Rs 4.87-crore street light project in Sohna here, officials said on Saturday.
The accused include the then Chief Engineer, a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of the power department, and two former secretaries of the Sohna Municipal Council, who allegedly colluded with contractors to cause a loss of over Rs 80 lakh to the state exchequer during 2014-15, the officials added.
A preliminary inquiry revealed that street-lighting materials were procured at rates 20 to 25 per cent higher than the prevailing market prices.
Work contracts were allegedly awarded to certain contractors in violation of rules, exceeding their licensed capacity.
The project was launched a decade ago to strengthen the street lighting system under the Sohna Municipal Council.
The ACB is set to expand its probe to scrutinise the role of specific officials in the work allocation process and examine how rules were bypassed to benefit the contractors.
“The ACB will probe allegations of collusion between officials and contractors. Investigators will examine tender documents, work orders, bills, payment records, material rates, and other related documents. The initial estimated loss of over Rs 80 lakh will be verified during the detailed probe,” the officials said. PTI COR APL APL
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