Latest news with #CapitalDredgingProject
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bombay High Court criticises CBI over privacy breach in ₹800 crore scam probe, grants relief to TCE
The Bombay High Court on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) stayed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe against Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) in connection with an alleged ₹800 crore scam linked to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority's (JNPA) capital dredging project, citing procedural lapses during the agency's investigation. A Division Bench of Justice A.S. Gadkari and Justice Rajesh Patil passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by TCE seeking quashing of a first information report (FIR) lodged on June 18. The FIR named former JNPA chief manager Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, TCE director Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Mumbai, and Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd, Chennai and other officials and firms involved in the project. 'It was alleged that during the maintenance of dredged channels in Phase-I of the project, JNPA made excess payments aggregating to ₹365.9 crore to the contractors against claims raised for over-dredging of channels. However, in Phase-Il of the project, which overlapped with the maintenance period of Phase-I, JNPT [Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust] made an additional excess payment of ₹438 crore to the contractor, showing that no over-dredging was done in Phase-l or maintenance period thereof,' the CBI's statement read. These alleged losses were based on over-dredging claims and falsified hydrographic data. The FIR invokes sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code, along with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. TCE, which was appointed as the project management consultant in 2003, submitted the final project report for Phase I in 2010. Its responsibilities included preparation of tender documents and supervision of project execution. Searches were conducted at the residential premises of officers of JNPA, TCE and offices of accused private companies at five different locations in Mumbai and Chennai which led the investigating team to the recovery of several documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants. Senior Advocate Amit Desai, appearing for TCE, argued that the company's role was limited to consultancy and that it had no part in contractual or financial decisions. He also contended that there was no material evidence linking the firm to the alleged fraud. The Court noted that the memo disclosed the password of a laptop belonging to Devdutt Bose, which, the Bench said, constituted a serious violation of privacy and the Information Technology Act. 'How can you publish the password of someone? This is contrary to the basis of the IT Act. You have caused damage to someone. You (CBI) cannot publish someone else's password in public. This is a very sensitive matter. This involves tampering. This in itself is mandatory grounds for discharge,' the Bench observed. The Bench also raised concerns about whether the disclosure was made with malicious intent, potentially benefiting competitors. The Court has directed the CBI to clarify key aspects of the FIR, including the source of the complaint and whether the matter had previously been examined by the Attorney General for India or the JNPT Board of Trustees, as claimed by the petitioner. The case is scheduled to be heard again after two weeks.
Indian Express
28-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
ED launches probe into ‘Rs 800 crore graft' case linked to Navi Mumbai dredging project
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money laundering investigation into the Rs 800 crore graft case linked to the Capital Dredging Project at Nhava Sheva port in Navi Mumbai. The central agency registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) on Friday and initiated a probe to examine the money laundering aspect of the entire graft case, sources said. The ED's case is based on the predicate offence registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) around 10 days ago. The CBI lodged a case against former chief manager of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), Mumbai, as well as several private individuals and entities. The other accused named in the First Information Report (FIR) include TCE director Devdutt Bose; M/s Boskalis Smit India LLP, Mumbai; and M/s Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd, based in Chennai. The case, registered on June 18, 2025, stems from allegations that a criminal conspiracy was orchestrated between JNPA officials and a consortium of private firms, one based in Mumbai and the other in Chennai, to siphon off public funds under the guise of project payments, the CBI said. According to the CBI, the alleged irregularities occurred during the execution of a Capital Dredging Project aimed at deepening the port's navigational channel to accommodate larger vessels. During Phase-I of the project, JNPA reportedly made excessive payments totalling Rs 365.90 crore to contractors for supposed over-dredging work. However, the payments came under scrutiny after it was revealed that during Phase-II, which coincided with the maintenance period of Phase-I, an additional Rs 438 crore was disbursed under the claim that no over-dredging had taken place in the previous phase, thereby contradicting earlier assertions. After lodging the FIR, the CBI teams raided the residences of former JNPA officials, offices of the private companies involved, and the premises of the consulting firm at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai. A large cache of project-related documents, digital devices, and evidence, allegedly indicating illicit investments made by public servants linked to the scam, has been seized during the exercise. 'The seized materials are currently under examination, and further inquiries are underway to determine the full scope of financial irregularities and identify all individuals involved,' a CBI spokesperson said. In coordination with the CBI, ED officials may soon summon the accused persons for inquiry, another source said.
Mint
21-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
CBI files FIR against ex-officers of JNPT, Tata firm over ₹800 cr irregularities in dredging project; conducts searches
The CBI has registered a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), as well as as two dredging companies, alleging irregularities worth more than ₹ 800 crore. As per officials, the alleged irregularities are linked to the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai. The federal investigative agency's action comes after three years of a preliminary inquiry that took a look into accusations of inflated estimates, halting of competition to benefit international bidders, extending undue favours to contactors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations. The CBI in its FIR has booked named then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants. The case has been lodged under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the registration of its FIR, the CBI searched five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the homes of Madabhavi and Bose, and offices of private companies. The searches led to the recovery of a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants, a CBI spokesperson said. The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement. No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies. 'The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired,' the CBI said in the FIR. The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to ₹ 365.90 crore for phase-I and ₹ 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging. The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with the Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships. TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project, which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution. TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the project, the FIR alleged. The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the joint venture by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV).
Mint
21-06-2025
- Business
- Mint
CBI files FIR against ex-officers of JNPT, TCE over ₹800 crore irregularities in dredging project; conducts searches
The CBI has registered a case against former officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), as well as as two dredging companies, alleging irregularities worth more than ₹ 800 crore. As per officials, the alleged irregularities are linked to the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai. The federal investigative agency's action comes after three years of a preliminary inquiry that took a look into accusations of inflated estimates, halting of competition to benefit international bidders, extending undue favours to contactors, and suppression of reports of independent expert organisations. The CBI in its FIR has booked named then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants. The case has been lodged under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. Following the registration of its FIR, the CBI searched five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the homes of Madabhavi and Bose, and offices of private companies. The searches led to the recovery of a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices and documents showing investments made by public servants, a CBI spokesperson said. The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement. No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies. 'The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired,' the CBI said in the FIR. The inquiry showed a criminal conspiracy between JNPT officials and other private persons, including an official of Tata Consulting Engineers, and others, which resulted in wrongful loss amounting to ₹ 365.90 crore for phase-I and ₹ 438 crore for phase-II to JNPT due to over-dredging. The case pertains to a project envisaged by the JNPT to deepen and widen the navigational channel it shared with the Mumbai Port in 2003 to cater to the needs of larger size cargo ships. TCE was roped in for preparation of a final report on the planning for dredging activities for the Capital Dredging Phase-I project, which was submitted in 2010 in association with Dredging Solution. TCE was also awarded the work of project management consultant for the project, including preparation of the tender documents and work of supervising the execution of the project, the FIR alleged. The CBI during its preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials along with TCE executives kept tender conditions to favour foreign bidders, and violated the guidelines of Competition Commission of India by allowing complimentary bidding, and allowed the formation of the joint venture by solely eligible bidders Boskalis Smit India LLP with Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (also known as BSI-JDN JV). The CBI inquiry also showed violation of a number of guidelines related to fixation of rates for dredging different type of rocks, delay in project, false claim of ₹ 348 crore by the contractor without actual performance of work, excess payment of ₹ 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey by using a less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among others.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
CBI books ex-officials of Tata firm, JNPA in ₹800 crore project fraud case. What investigation found
The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed a case against former officials of Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and and two dredging companies over alleged irregularities worth over ₹ 800 crore in the Capital Dredging Project to deepen ship navigational channels near Mumbai, news agency PTI reported, citing officials. The CBI, in its FIR, has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants.(Pic for representational purpose only) The federal investigative agency acted following a three-year preliminary inquiry into allegations that included inflated project estimates, manipulation of competition to benefit foreign bidders, granting undue favours to contractors, and the suppression of findings from independent expert bodies. The CBI, in its FIR, has booked the then chief engineer of JNPT Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, then project director of TCE, Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd and other unidentified public servants under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating) and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. After the FIR was registered on Wednesday, the CBI conducted searches at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the residence of Madabhavi, Bose and offices of private companies. A CBI spokesperson said the searches recovered a number of documents relating to the Capital Dredging Project, digital devices, and documents showing investments made by public servants. The documents recovered are being examined, she said in a statement. No immediate reaction was available from the accused companies, the PTI report said. "The allegations of pecuniary advantage obtained by the private companies as a result of abuse of official position by the JNPT officials resulting into a huge wrongful loss to the exchequer, spread over the period from 2003 to 2014 (phase-I of the project) and 2013 to 2019 (phase-II of the project) was also inquired," the CBI said in the FIR. The CBI probe found The inquiry revealed a criminal conspiracy involving officials of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), private individuals, including an executive from Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and others. This alleged collusion resulted in wrongful losses of ₹ 365.90 crore during Phase-I and ₹ 438 crore in Phase-II of the dredging project due to over-dredging. 365.90 crore during Phase-I and 438 crore in Phase-II of the dredging project due to over-dredging. The case stems from a project initiated by JNPT in 2003 to deepen and widen the shared navigational channel with Mumbai Port to accommodate larger cargo vessels. TCE was engaged to prepare the final report for Capital Dredging Phase-I, which it submitted in 2010 in collaboration with Dredging Solution. The company was also appointed as the project management consultant, responsible for drafting tender documents and supervising project execution, according to the FIR. The CBI's preliminary inquiry found that JNPT officials, in collusion with TCE executives, structured the tender conditions to favour international bidders. They allegedly violated Competition Commission of India (CCI) norms by permitting complimentary bidding and enabling the formation of a joint venture between Boskalis Smit India LLP and Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (BSI-JDN JV), the only qualified bidders. The probe also highlighted multiple violations, including irregularities in rate fixation for different rock types, delays in project execution, a false claim of ₹ 348 crore by the contractor for unexecuted work, excess payments amounting to ₹ 430 crore, and manipulation of the pre-dredge survey using less accurate software, 'Qinsy', among other issues. (With inputs from PTI)
