IITM recruitment scam: CBI likely to interrogate ex-director

CBI officials said Goswami, if summoned, would be questioned under which norms sweeping powers were given to his personal assistant.

The Central Bureau of Investigation’s Anti-Corruption branch is likely to grill B N Goswami, who retired as the IITM director, in connection with the recruitment scam. Sources alleged Goswami is likely to be summoned by CBI as his personal secretary Chhabi Bardhan — who has been arrested in the case — worked directly under him.

CBI’s Additional Superintendent of Police K Babu, who refused to reveal anything vis-a-vis interrogation of Bardhan, said CBI would not like to divulge its future couse of action in the case. When specifically asked whether Goswami was questioned in the case, he replied in the negative. “We cannot say whether the former director will be questioned or not…but we cannot rule out that possibility,” said Babu.

IITM’s current and former employees had sought proper investigation into IITM’s functioning and also against the former director. CBI sources said scientists have complained to them that Bardhan was the “actual boss” who dished out orders, carried out administrative duties and recruitments. She even employed a detective to choose a prospective employee, they added. Goswami, if summoned, would be questioned under which norms such sweeping powers were bestowed on his personal assistant, said CBI officials.

Bardhan, who began as a steno, was made the personal assistant and the last position she held was that of an LACD manager, which means Looking After Current Duties manager. “She was head of the several departments…why was she given such sweeping powers and what was the director as the head of the institute doing? All such questions will be posed to Goswami,” CBI sources said.

CBI officials said they would not reveal their future strategy as it will spoil their chances of catching some more culprits. “A lot of time has been wasted as Bardhan was on the run…so we will take final action when we have to…,” officials said. Some of IITM’s former and present employees have expressed their intention to testify against Bardhan, if CBI seeks their help in the case. However, CBI is mum on the issue so far. One of the charges that Bardhan, who has been remanded in CBI custody till August 20, faces is releasing Rs 17 lakh to a scientist who hardly attended office.

Meanwhile, IITM acting director S Krishnan and spokesperson denied warning its employees against sharing information about the institute with the media, especially with The Indian Express. They also denied tapping phones of its employees, a fear expressed by them to this paper.

Manoj Dattatrye More

Manoj Dattatrye More is a Senior Editor at The Indian Express, having been with the publication since 1992. Based in Pune, he is a veteran journalist with a 33-year career that spans editorial desk work, investigative reporting, and political analysis. Professional Legacy Experience: He spent his first 16 years on the editorial desk before moving into active field reporting. He has written over 20,000 stories, including more than 10,000 bylined articles. Impact Journalism: He is widely respected for "campaign-style" reporting that leads to tangible social change. Road Safety: His decade-long campaign regarding the dangerous state of the Pune-Mumbai highway in Khadki resulted in a ₹23 crore reconstruction project in 2006, which dramatically reduced fatalities. Environmental Protection: His reports against tree cutting on the Pune-Mumbai and Pune-Nashik highways saved approximately 2,000 trees. Anti-Corruption: During the COVID-19 pandemic, he exposed a scam where doctors were being asked to pay bribes for government jobs, resulting in them being hired without payment. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Manoj More's recent work focuses heavily on the shifting political landscape of Maharashtra and civic governance in the Pimpri-Chinchwad area: 1. Political Shifts & Alliances "Ajit Pawar's NCP continues domination in Pune, wins 10 of 17 local bodies" (Dec 21, 2025): A major report on the local self-government election results, detailing the NCP’s stronghold in Baramati, Indapur, and Lonavala. "BJP ropes in 13 ex-corporators, deals major blow to NCP" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on a significant political defection in Pimpri-Chinchwad as the BJP gears up for civic polls. "Congress opts for solo BMC run as alliance talks with Sena (UBT) collapse" (Dec 17, 2025): Covering the breakdown of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) talks for the Mumbai civic elections. "NCP(SP)'s Rahul Kalate, Sena (UBT) leader Sanjog Waghere set to join BJP" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing high-profile party-hopping ahead of the municipal elections. 2. Civic & Administrative Accountability "PCMC draws ire for issuing tenders worth Rs 250 crore just before poll code" (Dec 17, 2025): An investigative piece on the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s last-minute spending spree before election restrictions. "93 killed in 76 accidents in five years: Bypass service roads in Pune remain undeveloped for 18 yrs" (Nov 16, 2025): A critical look at the long-delayed infrastructure projects contributing to fatalities on Pune’s bypass roads. 3. Social & Labor Issues "As state says TCS has laid off 376 employees: FITE flags figures, say nearly 2,500 were forced to quit" (Dec 11, 2025): Investigating conflicting reports regarding IT sector layoffs in Maharashtra. "Maharashtra govt move to 'downgrade' Aadhaar cards" (Nov 30, 2025): Reporting on the state’s decision to require additional documents alongside Aadhaar to combat identity misuse. Signature Beat Manoj More is the definitive voice on Pimpri-Chinchwad, an industrial hub he has covered for three decades. His reporting is characterized by its aggressive stance against local "gondaism" (thuggery) and a relentless focus on civic infrastructure—choked drains, garbage management, and public transport. X (Twitter): @manojmore91982 ... Read More

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