New Delhi, Nov 7 (NationPress) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a corruption investigation against the former Senior Accounts Officer and Deputy Manager of BHEL, located in Kothagudem, Telangana, along with three private individuals, in connection with a GST fraud exceeding Rs 68 lakh, as stated by an official on Friday.

The inquiry was launched following a complaint from the Chief Vigilance Officer, who reported discrepancies in payments related to the Thermal Power Project at Kothagudem, attributed to the actions of the former Senior Accounts Officer/Dy. Manager of BHEL.

It was claimed that the accused misappropriated the GST input credits from three private companies, rerouting them to unrelated subcontractors.

Investigative searches were executed at six locations across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the seizure of incriminating documents, according to a statement from the CBI.

The CBI FIR indicated that Shiv Pal Singh, the Chief Vigilance Officer, filed a complaint on September 18, 2023, alleging payment irregularities at the 1X800 MW - Stage VII Unit 12 of the Kothagudem Thermal Power Project, involving G. Siva Nageswara Rao, the former Sr. Accounts Officer/Dy. Manager of BHEL.

The allegations include Rao's diversion of GST input credits from M/s Shankaranarayana Constructions P Ltd (SNCPL), M/s Power Mech Projects Ltd (PMPL), and M/s Vasavi Electro Systems P Ltd (VESPL) to unrelated subcontractors, leading to misappropriation.

The CBI FIR also revealed that an initial inquiry showed a distinct pattern of fraudulent activities and illicit collaboration between a public servant and private entities, utilizing a letter allegedly issued by SNCPL.

This letter was reportedly forged, facilitating the unlawful release and diversion of funds held by SHEL to co-conspirators Somireddy Marakala, Ramakrishna, and Srinivas Rao Raav, as outlined in the FIR.

The investigative agency emphasized that the diversion of funds ultimately benefitted Rao himself. Furthermore, the inquiry revealed suspicious transactions totaling Rs 68 lakh in the accounts belonging to Rao and his family, which necessitate a criminal investigation.

The CBI FIR, filed on Thursday, concluded that the preliminary inquiry confirmed a solid case of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and criminal misappropriation involving Rao, the public servant, and the three co-accused.