ACB names six more accused in dam scam

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed its second FIR in the 2009 Kalu dam scam at Kopari police station, Thane, naming six more officials and contractors. The names include: ED KIDC Girish Gopalrao Babar (rtd); CE WRD Balasaheb Bhausaheb Patil (rtd); the then SE KIDC, Satish Gundappa Vadgave presently SE MERI Nasik; EE KIDC Jaywant Murlidhar Kasar (rtd); SE TIDC Haridas Kera Tonpe (rtd); contractor Nisar Fateh Mohd Khatri and partners of F.A. Enterprise and F.A. Construction.

After the irrigation department decided to build a dam on river Kalu in Murbad, Thane district, tenders were called in 2009. Konkan Irrigation Development Corp officials created fake contractors to enter into a cartel and in a bid to show competition in the project. But project was given to their favourite company F.A. Enterprises, to whom they actually wanted to give project.

Twelve contractors were part of the tendering process however only four qualified. “The accused showed only four companies as eligible. Eligible firms were to have a turnover of `120 crore per year and all machinery available with them,” said a Thane ACB official.

ACB officials said in the FIR: “During investigations by ACB, it was found that Nissar Khatri of F.A. Enterprises, who wanted to show that it was a competitive process, allegedly filed a fake tender in the name of four different firms. He also allegedly prepared fake bank guarantees and gave several other fraud documents. The department also submitted a false report favourable for F.A. Enterprises to secure clearances for the project”.