CBI asks Centre to shift ‘tainted’ Paradip port chief

In August 2009,the CBI had filed cases against Rao,then Deputy Chairman of Chennai Port Trust,K Suresh (then Chairman of ChPT) and M K Sinha (Deputy Conservator of ChPT) for allegedly causing a loss of Rs 20 crore to the Chennai Port Trust by allegedly entering into a criminal conspiracy with a Singapore firm.

In April 2007,ship MV San Giorgio carrying the teak of Singapore-based Olam International Ltd from Overndo Port,West Africa,was allowed to dock at Chennai even though it didn’t have valid documents and its licenses had expired.

In its FIR lodged at its Chennai office,CBI had alleged that Suresh along with Rao and Sinha abused their positions and allotted a berth in the Chennai Port to MV San Giorgio and allowed the cargo to be discharged.

Though the decision to allow a ship to berth has to be taken at the daily berth meetings,attended by top port officials,San Giorgio never figured in any of the meetings in April 2007.

Cases under section 120(B)/read with section 420 of the IPC and section 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of Prevention of Corruption Act,1988 were lodged by the CBI against the trio.

CBI special director Balwinder Singh in March wrote to Mohandas: “… it is learnt that GJ Rao against whom this criminal case is pending has been given important assignment as chairman PPT. This has serious implications for the case as the witnesses considering elevation of his status may hesitate to depose fearlessly in the court of law.”

However,Mohandas said it’s not possible to find a “non-sensitive” post for Rao. “He is in the rank of chairman. His previous position (as chairman of Tuticorin Port Trust) was equally sensitive. Where do we find such “non-sensitive” positions,” he asked.