Eight Officials Sentenced to Two Years in PWD Fraud Case by Dehradun CBI Court
Synopsis
In a significant verdict, a CBI court in Dehradun has sentenced eight former Public Works Department officials to two years in prison for their involvement in a Rs 55 lakh fraud case. This ruling underscores the ongoing efforts to combat corruption within government departments.
Key Takeaways
Eight officials sentenced to two years in prison.
Involved in a Rs 55 lakh PWD fraud case.
CBI investigation initiated in 2003 .
Fraudulent cheques were issued and cashed illegally.
The court aims to uphold accountability in public service.
Dehradun, March 21 (NationPress) A specialized court of the Central Bureau of Investigation has found eight officials guilty and sentenced them to two years of rigorous imprisonment, along with a collective fine of Rs 2.85 lakh, in relation to a Rs 55 lakh fraud case involving the Public Works Department (PWD) from 2003.
On Friday, the CBI court in Dehradun handed down sentences to former officials including Deepak Kumar Verma (LDC), Madan Pal (Mate), Mani Ram (Beldar), Surendra Kumar Kaushik (Driver), Kasim (retired Beldar) from PWD Haridwar, Sukhpal Singh (UDC), Chatar Singh (Roller Driver) of PWD Roorkee, and Palu Das (Assistant Treasury Officer, Treasury Haridwar), sentencing each to rigorous imprisonment for two years alongside the imposed fine.
The case was initially filed by the CBI on August 9, 2003, following directives from the Uttarakhand High Court on May 7, 2003, which mandated the transfer of the investigation to the central agency.
As per the CBI, the allegations date back to the timeframe between 2001 and 2002, when certain PWD officials in Haridwar, in collusion with private individuals, illicitly withdrew government funds by issuing and cashing fraudulent and unauthorized departmental cheques totaling Rs 55,10,511.
After concluding its investigation, the agency submitted a charge sheet on June 15, 2005, against a total of 12 public servants and eight private individuals implicated in the fraud.
Moreover, during the trial, four accused -- Ravindra Shrivastava, Sukhchand Tyagi, Dharmendra Kumar Bhatnagar, and Ilamchan -- passed away, resulting in the cessation of proceedings against them.
Additionally, seven of the accused -- Rekha Negi, Punam Verma, Pratibha, Sanjay Kumar, Chandrawati, Rajpal, and Reena Srivastav -- admitted guilt earlier in the trial and were convicted separately by the court, according to the CBI.
Upon the completion of the trial, the court convicted the remaining individuals and imposed the respective sentences, while acquitting Pradeep Kumar Verma, a private individual, of all charges.
Point of View
Highlighting the importance of transparency in the use of public funds.
NationPress
12 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the fraud amount involved in the case?
The fraud amount involved in the case was Rs 55 lakh.
How long were the officials sentenced to prison?
The officials were sentenced to two years of rigorous imprisonment.
When was the case originally registered?
The case was originally registered by the CBI on August 9, 2003.
What prompted the CBI investigation?
The CBI investigation was prompted by directions from the Uttarakhand High Court.
How many officials were convicted in this case?
A total of eight officials were convicted in this case.
