Fake MoU, missing docs place nine DUSIB officials under ACB scanner

The case was filed after a complaint was received from the Vigilance Branch of the DUSIB.  The officials of the C-10 division were allegedly involved in a bogus project for the improvement of internal lanes in an area of Patel Nagar under a scheme related to SC/ST settlements. In the complaint, concerns were also raised regarding the manipulation of project records, unauthorised payment approvals, and failure to follow due process.

“There is a circular issued by the Budget & Finance Officer (BFO), DUSIB, dated May 5, 2020, wherein certain conditions have been mentioned. The dates of collection of samples by the QC (Quality Control) unit fall between March and May 2020 — a complete lockdown period,” the FIR states. There is documentary evidence that the department has been duped and bogus payment to the tune of Rs 15,21,445 has been made in the case, it adds.

During the inquiry into the matter, ACB officials said, a fabricated MOU was found on record in the file pertaining to the alleged work wherein the private contractor had hired a firm, M/S Wondermix ready mix Concrete Pvt Ltd, for the supply of ready mix concrete (RMC). Upon questioning, the director of the company, however, denied any relation with the MOU and termed it as “bogus”, the inquiry revealed.

As per the records of the quality control unit of DUSIB, some tests were allegedly conducted by the QC unit, and a site inspection was done. However, there were no records of RMC supplied at the site, raising questions about the authenticity of the inspection and further implicating the QC officials in the conspiracy.

“A number of discrepancies were found during verification of the facts such as missing labour certificates, cement bills, and signatures on the first and final bills raised serious concerns about the legitimacy of the work done and showed a blatant disregard of the officials for established procedures and protocols,” an official said.   The FIR raises questions,  claiming the work could not have been carried out as the entire country was under a complete lockdown between March 26, 2020, and June 8, 2020 due to Covid. Even after June 8, only the urgent and important work could be carried out in an emergency and that too with the prior permission of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), the FIR claims.