The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Probe recommended against some CID officials

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Thursday, Dec 25, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Probe recommended against some CID officials

S. Vijay Kumar

CHENNAI: A probe by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) has been recommended into allegations of corruption levelled against a few police officers in the Crime Branch CID, who investigated the ‘Gold Quest’ case.

Based on a report submitted by Additional Director General of Police (CBCID) Archana Ramasundaram, the DGP’s office has written to the government recommending further investigation by the DVAC, according to a police source.

Key accused

The allegation is that Feroze Khan, a key accused in the case against Gold Quest International Private Limited, paid huge sums to some investigators for evading arrest.

After he was arrested, though after some delay, the accused reportedly claimed that he had paid about Rs.1 crore to police officers, who promised to help him out of the case.

After ‘prima facie’ evidence was made out against the police personnel in a preliminary enquiry, Ms. Archana Ramasundaram recommended to the DGP that a DVAC probe may be ordered considering the seriousness of the case.

The three police officers, including an Inspector of Police, have been placed under suspension, the source added.

“The issue has not affected the investigation in any way. We are all set to file charge sheet very soon. The case has international ramifications and the names of some persons living outside the country may also figure in the charge sheet,” she told The Hindu here on Wednesday.

She said the case involved complaints received from 31,000 depositors. Since complaints were also received from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Puducherry, the CBCID was coordinating with its counterparts in those States in the investigation.

“In Tamil Nadu alone, Rs.321 crore was received from depositors through 1.08 lakh independent representatives (agents). As many as 76,824 agents did not receive the commission promised to them. A total of 3.68 lakh agents worked for the company.”

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