CBI chargesheets Sukh Ram in telecom scam
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a chargesheet against
former communications minister Sukh Ram and two others for their
alleged involvement in a telecom scam which caused a loss of Rs
16.8 million to the government.
The eight-page chargesheet, filed in the court of Special Judge
Ajit Bharihoke, is supported by the statements of 57 witnesses
and 32 documents.
Runu Ghosh, the then deputy secretary in the Department of Telecommunication
and the chairman-cum-managing director of Hyderabad-based private
firm Advanced Radio Mast, Pattalu Rama Rao, are the co-accused
in the chargesheet.
The court will consider the chargesheet on March 26 for taking
cognisance.
The filing of the chargesheet follows the recent assent of the
president to proceed against Sukh Ram.
The first information report in the case was filed as far back
as August 8, 1996.
According to the chargesheet, the scandal related to the purchase
of 3,000 units of a radio system.
The tender was floated on December 27, 1991, and a tender enquiry
committee set up on January 6, 1992, to review offers.
The committee recommended a price of Rs 354,000 per system with
single antenna working including antenna coupler and isolator
quoted by Indotronics, being the lowest.
The committee also recommended together a counter offer on the
same rate from Advance Radio Masts Limited.
Subsequently, a price negotiations committee was constituted with
Runu Ghosh as a member.
According to the chargesheet, despite differences in the prices
quoted by three firms, Runu Ghosh submitted the relevant file
directly to the then minister Sukh Ram.
Sukh Ram, after seeing the file, advised to procure the system
within a week's time without making any comment on price reduction
as approved by member (purchase).
The minister in his note dated August 31, 1993, directed for the
placement of supply order on Shyam Electronics and ARM for 900
units each and on Natelco for 450 systems and on Punwire for 250
units.
While making these directions Sukh Ram ''distinctly made a favour''
to ARM, causing a financial loss of about Rs 16.8 million by allowing
higher rates to the firm in respect of ''interior quality of system.''
According to the chargesheet, Runu Ghosh in her capacity as director
and Sukh Ram as minister in conspiracy with, among themselves
and with the owner of arm, Pattalu Rama Rao, by corrupt and illegal
means caused pecuniary advantage to themselves.
The chargesheet has been filed under various sections of the Prevention
of Corruption Act, 1988.
UNI
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