The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has initiated investigations against a few contractors for their alleged involvement in a suspected scam in the solid waste management e-tender process in 2023.
Based on the complaint filed by Basavaraj R Kabade, chief engineer, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), the CCB has registered an FIR on Friday charging the unknown persons under Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act 1999 and Sections 420 ( cheating ), 426 ( mischief), and 120 B (criminal conspiracy).
According to the complainant, the BBMP had called for a tender under e-procurement for the solid waste management and transportation for 225 wards under 89 packages under the primary and secondary stages in January 2023.
Two agencies among the many bidders raised a complaint that a group of 15 contractors had ganged up to sabotage the tender process and quoted 50-60% more than the estimated cost.
Based on the complaint, the BBMP on October 2024 had asked the jurisdictional Halasuru gate police to probe the case. The probe revealed irregularities in the tender process and the case was handed over to the CCB for a detailed probe.
An initial probe by the CCB also revealed violations in the tender process to get the contract by illegal means and quoted 50-60% more to incur a huge loss to the state exchequer.
Due to this, the tender process was cancelled, and the BBMP, to get the work done, continued the old system.
Published – February 06, 2025 08:24 pm IST