Desilting work in Palam: ACB lodges case into graft allegations

Following directions from Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Anti- Corruption Branch (ACB) of Delhi has registered a case to probe allegations of corruption and misuse of public funds worth around Rs 80 crore involving the public works department (PWD) of South West Division in carrying out desilting work in Palam.

ACB chief Madhur Verma said the agency has registered a case under Prevention of Corruption Act.

Officials said that PWD officials allegedly inflated bills, sought payments for non-existent work and violated the tender process. Over four years, it is claimed that around Rs 78.40 crore were improperly paid to a single contractor.

The desilting work was carried out at Southwest Road-I and Southwest Road-II divisions of the PWD in Palam.