VIJAY DEO JHA / RAJKUMAR
Ranchi, May 26: The CBI on Thursday carried out a nationwide raid at 16 locations in three states namely Jharkhand, Bihar and Delhi in the matter concerning the 34th national games scam in Jharkhand.
“In Jharkhand raids are being carried out at 12 places namely in Ranchi and Dhanbad. In Bihar, raids are being conducted at two places in Patna whereas, in Delhi, raids are being conducted at two places. Raids are being conducted against 13 accused named in the twin FIRs lodged by the CBI,” sources in the CBI said.
The sources said that the Bandhu Tirkey whose houses at Morabadi and Banhora in Ranchi are being raided, is among the accused along with RK Anand. Bandhu Tirkey served as the minister of Youth Affairs and Sports for a brief period when the preparations for the national games were going on.
Bandhu Tirkey was not present at any of his residences. He is in Delhi in connection with some political activities of the Congress. The CBI officials questioned his close associate, Sudhir Minj.
Bandhu Tirkey is the working president of the Jharkhand Congress and he is currently in Delhi to attend some party meetings.
The Patna unit of the CBI is investigating the case on the instruction of the Jharkhand High Court. The CBI lodged two FIRs at the Anti-Corruption Unit of the CBI in Ranchi. In the first case RC0242022A0001, the FIR was lodged against unknown public servants and private persons under sections 120 (B), 420 of IPC, and sections 13 (2) and 13 (1) (D) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. This FIR is being investigated by Surendra Depawat, DSP (ACB, Patna). This FIR pertains to a scam in the construction of the sports infrastructure during the national game.
The second FIR RC0242022A0002 was lodged against R. K. Anand who was the Working Chairman of 34″ National Games Organising Committee cum-President, Jharkhand Olympic Association, besides S.M. Hashmi (Organising Secretary, 34th National Games Organising Committee-cum-Secretary General, Jharkhand Olympic Association) and Madhukant Pathak (treasurer, 34th National Games Organising Committee cum-Treasurer, Jharkhand Olympic Association. Investigation). The investigating officer of this case is Shri Narayan, inspector of CBI (ACB, Patna).
Earlier, the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Jharkhand Police investigated a case related to the national games scam which the CBI took over following the order of the Jharkhand High Court last month.
