Kandla scam: Jt Secy under CBI scanner

The alleged scam involves 16,000 acres of land owned by the Kandla Port Trust in Gujarat given on lease to a handful of salt companies at throwaway prices.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought the transfer of Rakesh Shrivastava,Joint Secretary of Ports and the Chief Vigilance Officer in the Shipping Ministry,claiming that his continuation in the post could hamper the probe into the alleged Kandla Port Trust scam.

The alleged scam involves 16,000 acres of land owned by the Kandla Port Trust in Gujarat given on lease to a handful of salt companies at throwaway prices.

Adducing a status report on the investigation,CBI counsel Vikas Pahwa informed a Division Bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Sanjiv Khanna that

the probe agency had written a letter to the Cabinet Secretary in the Central Government to relocate Srivastav.

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Rakesh Shrivastava,Joint Secretary (Ports) in the Ministry of Shipping,is one of the suspects named by the investigating officer. He has processed various files regarding renewal of leases and his role is being critically examined, the CBI said in a status report.

Pahwa further submitted that the CBI had mentioned in its letter that Srivastav should not be allowed to continue because he could influence and hamper the probe. We want him transferred from Kandla and see he has no connection, Pahwa told the court.

On this,the bench asked Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhiok to clarify the Central governments stand on the note sent to them by the CBI. The ASG said he would require instructions from proper authorities.