What Sentence Did the CBI Court Impose on NHAI Manager?
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Synopsis
A CBI court in Jodhpur has handed down a four-year prison term to an NHAI manager for illegal asset possession. This ruling highlights ongoing corruption issues within public infrastructure sectors and raises questions about accountability among officials.
Key Takeaways
- Four-year prison sentence for illegal assets.
- Significant fine of Rs 41.65 lakh imposed.
- Corruption within NHAI highlighted.
- Case registered in 2013 and chargesheet filed in 2014.
- Further investigations into bribery involving other officials.
Jodhpur, July 15 (NationPress) A Special CBI Court in Jodhpur has sentenced a manager of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to four years in prison along with a fine of Rs 41.65 lakh for possessing illegal assets, as reported by an official on Tuesday.
Surender Kumar Soni, who served as the Manager (Technical) for NHAI in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, was found guilty of holding assets that were disproportionate (DA) to his declared income during his service.
On July 14, the court determined that Soni's assets exceeded his known income sources by 116 percent.
The CBI initiated the case against Soni on July 30, 2013.
Following the investigation, a chargesheet was submitted by the CBI on December 18, 2014 to the Special CBI Judge.
In another case, the CBI has also charged two NHAI engineers, a resolution board member, and five others, including builders and a middleman, in connection with bribes exceeding Rs 10 lakh related to tampering with a quality audit report for a road project in Jharkhand.
The CBI has accused two NHAI Deputy Managers and a retired engineer, who was part of a Dispute Resolution Board (DRB), of accepting bribes in exchange for providing a favorable Quality Audit Report (QAR) for a group of contractors involved in an Rs 818 crore project aimed at widening National Highway-75 in Jharkhand.
A Quality Audit Team evaluated the project executed by various contractors, led by Dineshchandra R. Agrawal Infracon, from June 26 to June 30, according to the FIR.
The FIR accuses NHAI officials of engaging in corrupt practices by accepting or conspiring to accept illegal payments in exchange for a favorable QAR for the inspection of the Package-III project in Ranchi, Jharkhand, from Manish Mishra, COO of M/s Bharat Vanijya Eastern Private Limited (BVEPL).
Sources indicate that Rakesh Bhasin, a DRB Member and retired Chief Engineer, was to receive a bribe of Rs 4 lakh at his residence in Jaipur, while NHAI Deputy Manager Swatantra Gaurav's friend Dheeraj collected Rs 5 lakh on his behalf.
Furthermore, Vishwajeet Singh, another NHAI Deputy Manager, was to be given Rs 1 lakh on the instructions of Manish Mishra, as stated in the FIR.
The CBI FIR, registered on July 12, detailed that the actions of these public servants and private individuals constitute offenses punishable under multiple sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018) and 61(2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. A standard case has thus been registered...
Point of View
The conviction of the NHAI manager underscores the pressing need for transparency and integrity within government agencies. Such cases not only compromise public trust but also highlight the systemic challenges faced in combating corruption. It is essential to hold accountable those in power to ensure that public resources are utilized effectively and ethically.
NationPress
16/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the reason for the NHAI manager's imprisonment?
The NHAI manager was sentenced for possessing illegal assets that were disproportionate to his known sources of income.
How long is the manager's prison sentence?
The manager has been sentenced to four years in prison.
What fine was imposed on the NHAI manager?
The court also imposed a fine of Rs 41.65 lakh on the manager.
When was the case against the manager registered?
The case was registered by the CBI on July 30, 2013.
What other cases are linked to the NHAI?
The CBI is investigating additional cases involving other NHAI officials and contractors related to bribery in connection with quality audits.
