Ex-general manager in defence PSU faces CBI FIR for ‘disproportionate assets’

The FIR, lodged on September 22, states that Manoranjan Khuntia joined GSL in 1995 and retired on May 31 this year as the chief general manager (HR and administrator). According to the FIR, the CBI received information from a source that while working at GSL, Goa between January 1, 2018 and April 30, 2023, “Khuntia intentionally enriched himself illicitly and amassed assets, both movable and immovable, in his name and in the name of his family members, disproportionate to his known sources of income”.

Quoting purported income statements, list of assets and expenditure incurred during the said time period by the accused, the FIR states that considering the income of Rs 2.91 crore and expenditure of Rs 2.69 crore during the check period, the accused has likely got savings of Rs 22.18 lakh only. “Whereas, Manoranjan Khuntia is found to have amassed assets worth Rs 2.14 crore in the name of self and family members… Thereby, the accused is in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 1.92 crore, which is 66 percent of his total income, which he could not satisfactorily account for,” the FIR reads.

When contacted, Khuntia said, “I am currently in Odisha. I am aware of an FIR being lodged against me. I have requested the agency officials that I shall explain all the transactions and queries upon my return.”

A spokesperson of Goa Shipyard Limited declined to comment on the matter.

According to the FIR, the assets allegedly acquired by him include construction of a residential house in Odisha, purchase of a 370 sq metre plot in Dabolim Goa in 2018-19, and construction of a residential house at the plot in Dabolim.

He has been charged under section 13 (2) read with 13 (1) (e) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and section 13 (2) read with 13 (1) (b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988.