Ordnance factory Jt GM, two managers in CBI net

NAGPUR: The Central Bureau of Investigation's anti-corruption wing on Tuesday caught three senior officials of Ordnance factory Ambajhari (OFAJ) while accepting bribe. Joint general manager SK Tiwari and two junior works managers Vinit Sorte and RR Ghate were caught while allegedly taking graft from representative of a private company at their office.

Tiwari tried to flee the scene during the raid and a constable clung to his vehicle determined not to let him escape. The constable Jeetendra Naikwar was injured in action. While Tiwari was caught taking Rs 10,000, Sorte and Ghate had taken Rs 6,000 each.

A search at Tiwari's home in factory campus led to seizure of Rs 3.50 lakh cash and other documents. A section of OFAJ employees were unhappy with the conduct of these high officials. Searches were also conducted at the homes of the other two accused from where mostly property documents and other materials were seized.

Sources said Rahul Randhir, a partner of M/s Paramount Electroplates and Industries, had approached CBI complaining of harassment from senior officials of OFAJ, particularly ones in cartridge case section, over releasing payment of Rs 90,000.

OFAJ had contracted the MIDC-based private company in November 2010 for electroplating and dyeing of cartridge cases. The company was given the contract on the basis of lowest quotation after due tendering process for a duration of nine months. It was later extended for another four months under unexplained circumstances.

The company was given an order for 94,400 cartridges but the cartridge case section apparently was not releasing the cartridges to the company for work as per the order. Over a period of one year, it is learnt, only around 17,240 cartridges were released. Thus a sizable numbers of cartridges were not processed and sent through quality control procedures. Some 77,160 cartridges remained to be processed with just one month more left of the contract period.

The company had already made delivery of 2,000 cartridges after processing them as per specifications. The payment for these, despite being approved by quality control department, was not being released due to the lack of sanction from cartridge case section. CBI has learnt that the OFAJ management was trying to delay the process so that there is a request to stretch the contract time. This would mean opportunity for further negotiations.

Complainant Randhir, when he met accused Tiwari over the issue, was told to meet officials of cartridge case section. It is learnt these officials demanded bribe for releasing the pending payments and allowing the work to continue. A trap was organized under the supervision of superintendent of police, CBI, Thomas John. Inspectors MS Patil and Vinod Kumar organized the trap while PIs Pradeep Lande, Hemant Kharabe and H Jangid's team conducted the searches post arrest.

OFAJ sources said the electroplating and dyeing contract was the most sought after and there was stiff competition for the same among private companies.