A joint team of the ED and the CBI is in London to brief UK prosecution, working on the extradition of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and submit fresh proof in the case, officials said today.

The visiting officials of the two central probe agencies will also submit the charge-sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the case last month in Mumbai, said a senior official in the Mallya probe team.

&quot;The Indian investigators will also brief Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) officials about the contents of the ED charge-sheet and the evidence produced in it. Some other legal issues will also be discussed,&quot; the official said.

The CPS will argue the case in the court on behalf of the Indian government.

The official added that the ED&#39;s legal advisor will explain in detail the charges made out against Mallya, some more evidence, attachments made by it and other legal points mentioned in the charge-sheet filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED will also seek cooperation from countries like France, Singapore, Mauritius, Ireland, the US and the UAE to probe certain transactions and the shell companies involved.

Nine accused have been named in the charge-sheet filed by the ED.&nbsp;

The list includes Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), United Breweries (Holding) Limited and senior employees and executives of the now-defunct airline and the IDBI (Industrial Development Bank of India) bank.

The agency has called Mallya &quot;prime mover of the entire plot&quot; in the charge-sheet and described how funds obtained from the bank loan were allegedly routed illegally, including &quot;substantial payments&quot; being diverted to the Formula-1 car racing event abroad.

Mallya, who is wanted in India for Kingfisher Airlines&#39; default on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore, has been in the UK since March 2016 and was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on April 18.

A United Kingdom court recently rejected Mallya&#39;s request to shift the final hearing date in his extradition case to next year and fixed it for December 4.

Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are probing Mallya and others for alleged charges of corruption and money laundering.

Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines has defaulted on loans worth 9,000 crore and is in UK since March 2016

A joint team of the ED and the CBI is in London to brief UK prosecution, working on the extradition of fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, and submit fresh proof in the case, officials said today. The visiting officials of the two central probe agencies will also submit the charge-sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the case last month in Mumbai, said a senior official in the Mallya probe team. "The Indian investigators will also brief Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) officials about the contents of the ED charge-sheet and the evidence produced in it. Some other legal issues will also be discussed," the official said. The CPS will argue the case in the court on behalf of the Indian government. The official added that the ED's legal advisor will explain in detail the charges made out against Mallya, some more evidence, attachments made by it and other legal points mentioned in the charge-sheet filed under various sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED will also seek cooperation from countries like France, Singapore, Mauritius, Ireland, the US and the UAE to probe certain transactions and the shell companies involved. Nine accused have been named in the charge-sheet filed by the ED. The list includes Mallya, Kingfisher Airlines (KFA), United Breweries (Holding) Limited and senior employees and executives of the now-defunct airline and the IDBI (Industrial Development Bank of India) bank. The agency has called Mallya "prime mover of the entire plot" in the charge-sheet and described how funds obtained from the bank loan were allegedly routed illegally, including "substantial payments" being diverted to the Formula-1 car racing event abroad. Mallya, who is wanted in India for Kingfisher Airlines' default on loans worth nearly Rs 9,000 crore, has been in the UK since March 2016 and was arrested by Scotland Yard on an extradition warrant on April 18. A United Kingdom court recently rejected Mallya's request to shift the final hearing date in his extradition case to next year and fixed it for December 4. Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are probing Mallya and others for alleged charges of corruption and money laundering.

CBI and ED teams in London to submit fresh proof in Mallya extradition case

Former finance minister P&nbsp;Chidambaram&#39;s son Karti Chidambaram, who has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appear for questioning in a corruption case, has sought more time from the agency, sources said today.

The CBI had on June 15 issued a&nbsp;notice to Karti and his four associates to appear before it for questioning in Delhi office between June 27 and June 29.

He was summoned in connection with a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media Pvt Ltd, once owned by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P. Chidambaram was the finance minister.

Last month, following the Income-Tax raids at his residence in Chennai, the Enforcement Directorate slapped a money laundering case against Karti and others taking cognizance of the CBI FIR against him.

CBI Joint Director Vineet Vinayak said a criminal case was registered under various sections of conspiracy, illegal gratification to influence a public servant, cheating and misuse of official position against five main individuals and entities, unnamed officials of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and others in the matters related to the grant of FIPB approval to INX Media Pvt Ltd.

An FIR was also lodged against Karti, Indrani Mukerjea, unknown officers of FIPB Unit of Ministry of Finance and others over alleged financial misappropriation over FIPB clearance to INX Media Pvt Ltd. in 2008.

The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, taking gratification in order by corrupt or illegal means to influence public servant and criminal misconduct.

The case was registered under section 120-B r/w, section 420, section 8 and section 13(2) r/w and 13 (1) (d) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).&nbsp;

He has been summoned by the CBI to appear for questioning in a corruption case

Former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram, who has been summoned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to appear for questioning in a corruption case, has sought more time from the agency, sources said today. The CBI had on June 15 issued a notice to Karti and his four associates to appear before it for questioning in Delhi office between June 27 and June 29. He was summoned in connection with a Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) clearance given to media group INX Media Pvt Ltd, once owned by Indrani and Peter Mukerjea, for receiving funds from Mauritius when his father P. Chidambaram was the finance minister. Last month, following the Income-Tax raids at his residence in Chennai, the Enforcement Directorate slapped a money laundering case against Karti and others taking cognizance of the CBI FIR against him. CBI Joint Director Vineet Vinayak said a criminal case was registered under various sections of conspiracy, illegal gratification to influence a public servant, cheating and misuse of official position against five main individuals and entities, unnamed officials of Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and others in the matters related to the grant of FIPB approval to INX Media Pvt Ltd. An FIR was also lodged against Karti, Indrani Mukerjea, unknown officers of FIPB Unit of Ministry of Finance and others over alleged financial misappropriation over FIPB clearance to INX Media Pvt Ltd. in 2008. The charges include criminal conspiracy, cheating, taking gratification in order by corrupt or illegal means to influence public servant and criminal misconduct. The case was registered under section 120-B r/w, section 420, section 8 and section 13(2) r/w and 13 (1) (d) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Karti Chidambaram seeks time from CBI ahead of questioning

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday asked for capital punishment for Tahir Merchant and Karimullah Khan for their role in 1993 Bombay bombings, ANI reported.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The CBI counsel said Khan was one of the prime conspirators who had knowledge of RDX and weapons movement. 
&nbsp; 
The counsel, demanding death penalty for Merchant, said he was one of the main conspirators. 
&nbsp; 
The prosecution also asked for life imprisonment for Riaz Siddique. 
&nbsp; 
On June 28, the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) court earlier on adjourned the case after the death of Mustafa Dossa. 
&nbsp; 
Mustafa Dossa died of cardiac arrest after being admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. 
&nbsp; 
He was a close aide of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. 
&nbsp; 
He died a day after the CBI asked for capital punishment for Dossa, saying that his role in the blasts was &quot;more severe&quot; than that of hanged convict Yakub Memon. 
&nbsp; 
The CBI had said Dossa was one of the &quot;brains&quot; behind the conspiracy and that his degree of responsibility towards the commission of the crime was the highest. 
&nbsp; 
257 people were killed in the coordinated blasts that jolted the city on March 12, 1993. 
&nbsp;

The CBI counsel said Khan was one of the prime conspirators who had knowledge of RDX and weapons movement

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday asked for capital punishment for Tahir Merchant and Karimullah Khan for their role in 1993 Bombay bombings, ANI reported. The CBI counsel said Khan was one of the prime conspirators who had knowledge of RDX and weapons movement. The counsel, demanding death penalty for Merchant, said he was one of the main conspirators. The prosecution also asked for life imprisonment for Riaz Siddique. On June 28, the special Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (TADA) court earlier on adjourned the case after the death of Mustafa Dossa. Mustafa Dossa died of cardiac arrest after being admitted to the hospital on Wednesday. He was a close aide of fugitive don Dawood Ibrahim. He died a day after the CBI asked for capital punishment for Dossa, saying that his role in the blasts was "more severe" than that of hanged convict Yakub Memon. The CBI had said Dossa was one of the "brains" behind the conspiracy and that his degree of responsibility towards the commission of the crime was the highest. 257 people were killed in the coordinated blasts that jolted the city on March 12, 1993.

1993 Mumbai blasts: CBI asks for capital punishment for Tahir Merchant, Karimullah Khan

The CBI has lodged an FIR against the director of Indian Institute of Technology-Goa, B K Mishra, for allegedly amassing Rs 1.14 crore.

The CBI claims Mishra who was the director at Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology-Bhubaneswar before joining IIT-Goa&nbsp;had amassed assets worth Rs 2.15 crore in four years - between 2006 and 2016.

The CBI said Rs 1.14 crore are assets acquired by Mishra which are disproportionate to his known source of his income during the same period.

Indian Institute of Technology is considered the temple of tech education in India, although this is not the first time IIT has been tainted in this manner. In 2013, the CBI had booked the then IIT-Patna director, A K Bhowmick in the&nbsp;coalnet scam.

In the FIR against BK Mishra, the CBI alleged &quot;...Dr B K Mishra has acquired assets (movable/immovable) to the tune of Rs 2.15 crore. Hence Dr Barada Kant Mishra is in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 1.14 crore to his known sources of income during the aforesaid check period and the acquisition of the same is not likely to be accounted for satisfactorily by him.&quot;

B K Mishra&nbsp;is expected to issue a statement soon.

&nbsp;

CBI claims Mishra?had amassed assets worth Rs 2.15 crore in four years when he was the director at Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology-Bhubaneswar

The CBI has lodged an FIR against the director of Indian Institute of Technology-Goa, B K Mishra, for allegedly amassing Rs 1.14 crore. The CBI claims Mishra who was the director at Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology-Bhubaneswar before joining IIT-Goa had amassed assets worth Rs 2.15 crore in four years - between 2006 and 2016. The CBI said Rs 1.14 crore are assets acquired by Mishra which are disproportionate to his known source of his income during the same period. Indian Institute of Technology is considered the temple of tech education in India, although this is not the first time IIT has been tainted in this manner. In 2013, the CBI had booked the then IIT-Patna director, A K Bhowmick in the coalnet scam. In the FIR against BK Mishra, the CBI alleged "...Dr B K Mishra has acquired assets (movable/immovable) to the tune of Rs 2.15 crore. Hence Dr Barada Kant Mishra is in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 1.14 crore to his known sources of income during the aforesaid check period and the acquisition of the same is not likely to be accounted for satisfactorily by him." B K Mishra is expected to issue a statement soon.

CBI books IIT-Goa director B K Mishra in disproportionate assets case

The CBI on Friday today visited premises of Delhi Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia over a preliminary enquiry against him related to alleged irregularities in the Aam Aadmi Party&#39;s &quot;Talk to AK&quot; campaign.

The investigating agency also clarified that no search or raid was conducted, since as per rules, no search or raid can be conducted under a preliminary enquiry.

The agency had registered the enquiry in January this year on the basis of a complaint filed by the Delhi government&#39;s vigilance department, alleging that the government hired a consultant for promoting a media campaign despite objections by the principal secretary.

The complainant had alleged that a consultant of a well-known public relations company was hired by the Delhi government to promote &quot;Talk to AK&quot; (Talk to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal) campaign and a proposal of Rs 1.5 crore was prepared for this purpose.

The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry to investigate the allegations and is probing the alleged role of Manish Sisodia and others.&nbsp; 
 
(WION)

CBI visited the Delhi Deputy chief minister's home over an enquiry related to alleged irregularities in the AAP's 'Talk to AK' campaign

The CBI on Friday today visited premises of Delhi Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia over a preliminary enquiry against him related to alleged irregularities in the Aam Aadmi Party's "Talk to AK" campaign. The investigating agency also clarified that no search or raid was conducted, since as per rules, no search or raid can be conducted under a preliminary enquiry. The agency had registered the enquiry in January this year on the basis of a complaint filed by the Delhi government's vigilance department, alleging that the government hired a consultant for promoting a media campaign despite objections by the principal secretary. The complainant had alleged that a consultant of a well-known public relations company was hired by the Delhi government to promote "Talk to AK" (Talk to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal) campaign and a proposal of Rs 1.5 crore was prepared for this purpose. The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry to investigate the allegations and is probing the alleged role of Manish Sisodia and others. (WION)

No raids on Manish Sisodia's house, only preliminary enquiry, clarifies CBI

The CBI Friday examined Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in connection with its probe into allegations of money laundering against him.

(<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/watch-rahul-sharma-delhi-pwd-scam-whistleblower-shot-at-in-greater-noida-16308">Also Read:&nbsp;Rahul Sharma, Delhi PWD scam whistleblower, shot at in Greater Noida</a>)

He arrived at the agency headquarters around 11 in the morning and was questioned for over eight hours by its sleuths, CBI sources said.

Jain, who holds several portfolios in the Arvind Kejriwal government, refused to speak to media waiting outside the headquarters.

The CBI sources said the agency might soon convert the preliminary enquiry into a regular case as it was not convinced by the arguments put forth by Jain.

The agency had registered a preliminary enquiry against Satyendar Jain&nbsp;in connection with allegations of money laundering.

It was alleged that Jain was involved in money laundering to the tune of Rs 4.63 crore while he was a public servant during 2015-16 through Prayas Info Solutions Private Limited, Akinchan Developers Private Limited and Managalyatan Projects Private Limited, the CBI sources said.

Satyendar Jain&nbsp;had dismissed the allegations after the Enforcement Directorate last month attached properties linked to him in the matter.

A preliminary enquiry is the first step by the CBI to gather information about the allegations.

If the agency is convinced that there exists prima facie material in the matter, it may register a regular case against the accused.

The allegations against Jain also include purported money laundering to the tune of Rs 11.78 crore during 2010-12 through these companies and Indometal Impex Pvt Limited. 
 
(PTI)

Satyendar Jain was questioned for over eight hours by CBI sleuths

The CBI Friday examined Delhi minister Satyendar Jain in connection with its probe into allegations of money laundering against him. (Also Read: Rahul Sharma, Delhi PWD scam whistleblower, shot at in Greater Noida) He arrived at the agency headquarters around 11 in the morning and was questioned for over eight hours by its sleuths, CBI sources said. Jain, who holds several portfolios in the Arvind Kejriwal government, refused to speak to media waiting outside the headquarters. The CBI sources said the agency might soon convert the preliminary enquiry into a regular case as it was not convinced by the arguments put forth by Jain. The agency had registered a preliminary enquiry against Satyendar Jain in connection with allegations of money laundering. It was alleged that Jain was involved in money laundering to the tune of Rs 4.63 crore while he was a public servant during 2015-16 through Prayas Info Solutions Private Limited, Akinchan Developers Private Limited and Managalyatan Projects Private Limited, the CBI sources said. Satyendar Jain had dismissed the allegations after the Enforcement Directorate last month attached properties linked to him in the matter. A preliminary enquiry is the first step by the CBI to gather information about the allegations. If the agency is convinced that there exists prima facie material in the matter, it may register a regular case against the accused. The allegations against Jain also include purported money laundering to the tune of Rs 11.78 crore during 2010-12 through these companies and Indometal Impex Pvt Limited. (PTI)

CBI grills Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain in alleged money laundering case

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, today, granted bail to Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, his wife and all the other accused in the disproportionate assets case.

Opposing his bail plea, the CBI counsel said, &quot;Singh cannot be spared as he is the king of the state and is involved in such corrupt practices.&quot;

CBI counsel further said that the Virbhadra&#39;s medical issues are common for an old aged man and should not be considered.

Earlier on May 22, Singh and the other accused in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case, moved the special CBI court for bail.

The Special CBI Court issued a notice to the CBI to reply on the bail plea of all the accused including Virbhadra and his wife Pratibha.

Earlier on May 8, Virbhadra and other accused were summoned by the court in regard to the same case.

Pratibha Singh withdrew her plea, which had alleged that the CBI hadn&#39;t obtained permission from the state government to procure documents used to prepare the chargesheet.

Pratibha&#39;s counsel had earlier on April 24 argued whether witnesses and documents that were collected during the investigation could be part of the chargesheet and if the court could read them for the purpose of taking cognizance.

The counsel also moved an application seeking consideration of these terms, while also requesting not to take cognizance of the chargesheet.

A day after being booked by the CBI special court, the Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring against him and asserted that all charges levied against him were fabricated.

(ANI)

Opposing his bail plea, the CBI counsel said, 'Singh cannot be spared as he is the king of the state and is involved in such corrupt practices.'

A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court, today, granted bail to Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh, his wife and all the other accused in the disproportionate assets case. Opposing his bail plea, the CBI counsel said, "Singh cannot be spared as he is the king of the state and is involved in such corrupt practices." CBI counsel further said that the Virbhadra's medical issues are common for an old aged man and should not be considered. Earlier on May 22, Singh and the other accused in the Disproportionate Assets (DA) case, moved the special CBI court for bail. The Special CBI Court issued a notice to the CBI to reply on the bail plea of all the accused including Virbhadra and his wife Pratibha. Earlier on May 8, Virbhadra and other accused were summoned by the court in regard to the same case. Pratibha Singh withdrew her plea, which had alleged that the CBI hadn't obtained permission from the state government to procure documents used to prepare the chargesheet. Pratibha's counsel had earlier on April 24 argued whether witnesses and documents that were collected during the investigation could be part of the chargesheet and if the court could read them for the purpose of taking cognizance. The counsel also moved an application seeking consideration of these terms, while also requesting not to take cognizance of the chargesheet. A day after being booked by the CBI special court, the Chief Minister accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of conspiring against him and asserted that all charges levied against him were fabricated. (ANI)

CBI court grants bail to Virbhadra Singh and wife in disproportionate assets case

The Central Bureau of Investigation has raided the Chennai homes of former union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram. &nbsp;

Reports said the raids are linked to the allegation that a Karti Chidambaram company facilitated investment clearances for INX Media in 2008 for kickbacks.

Chidambaram denied the charges and said that FIPB approval was granted in &quot;hundreds of cases.&quot;

He also accused the government of using investigating agencies to target his son and his friends to &quot;silence&quot; his voice against the government. He said there were no allegations against the five secretaries who constituted the FIPB, and the officials of the FIPB secretariat.

&quot;All I will say is, I shall continue to speak and write,&quot; he said in a statement. &quot;There is no allegation against me,&quot; he added.

&quot;The government, using the CBI and other agencies, is targeting my son and his friends..The government&#39;s aim is to silence my voice and stop me from writing, as it has tried to do in the cases of leaders of opposition parties, journalists, columnists, NGOs and civil society organisations,&quot; the former finance minister said.

The CBI also searched the house of former media baron Peter Mukerjea --&nbsp;who then owned INX Media --&nbsp;in Mumbai as part of investigations over alleged favours granted in foreign investment clearance to the company.

Both Peter and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, founders of INX Media, are accused in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case and are lodged in jail in Mumbai.&nbsp;Some clues on the INX Media deal reportedly emerged from investigations into the Sheena Bora murder case when the financial transactions of the Mukerjeas were scrutinized.

The CBI conducted searches at 17 locations across the country, including New Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai and Chidambaram&#39;s hometown of Karaikudi, as part of the probe.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

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Karti Chidambaram outside P Chidambaram&#39;s residence in Chennai earlier today <a href="https://t.co/NVp7QJiWUF">pic.twitter.com/NVp7QJiWUF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/864365726437588992">May 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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CBI raid at former union minister P Chidambaram&#39;s residence in Chennai <a href="https://t.co/1oGxTjVDXF">pic.twitter.com/1oGxTjVDXF</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI_news) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI_news/status/864321033804709888">May 16, 2017</a></blockquote>
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INX Media was then owned by former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, who are currently in jail in connection with the murder of Indrani&#39;s daughter Sheena Bora.

Other reports said the raids could be linked to the&nbsp;Aircel-Maxis case.&nbsp;

Karti, who is facing money laundering charges in connection with the Aircel-Maxis deal, has had his offices raided in the past as well.

(WION with inputs from ANI)

Chidambaram denied the charges and said that FIPB approval was granted in 'hundreds of cases'

The Central Bureau of Investigation has raided the Chennai homes of former union minister P Chidambaram and his son Karti Chidambaram. Reports said the raids are linked to the allegation that a Karti Chidambaram company facilitated investment clearances for INX Media in 2008 for kickbacks. Chidambaram denied the charges and said that FIPB approval was granted in "hundreds of cases." He also accused the government of using investigating agencies to target his son and his friends to "silence" his voice against the government. He said there were no allegations against the five secretaries who constituted the FIPB, and the officials of the FIPB secretariat. "All I will say is, I shall continue to speak and write," he said in a statement. "There is no allegation against me," he added. "The government, using the CBI and other agencies, is targeting my son and his friends..The government's aim is to silence my voice and stop me from writing, as it has tried to do in the cases of leaders of opposition parties, journalists, columnists, NGOs and civil society organisations," the former finance minister said. The CBI also searched the house of former media baron Peter Mukerjea -- who then owned INX Media -- in Mumbai as part of investigations over alleged favours granted in foreign investment clearance to the company. Both Peter and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, founders of INX Media, are accused in the sensational Sheena Bora murder case and are lodged in jail in Mumbai. Some clues on the INX Media deal reportedly emerged from investigations into the Sheena Bora murder case when the financial transactions of the Mukerjeas were scrutinized. The CBI conducted searches at 17 locations across the country, including New Delhi, Gurgaon, Chennai and Chidambaram's hometown of Karaikudi, as part of the probe. Karti Chidambaram outside P Chidambaram's residence in Chennai earlier today pic.twitter.com/NVp7QJiWUF — ANI (@ANI_news) May 16, 2017 × CBI raid at former union minister P Chidambaram's residence in Chennai pic.twitter.com/1oGxTjVDXF — ANI (@ANI_news) May 16, 2017 × INX Media was then owned by former media tycoon Peter Mukerjea and his wife Indrani Mukerjea, who are currently in jail in connection with the murder of Indrani's daughter Sheena Bora. Other reports said the raids could be linked to the Aircel-Maxis case. Karti, who is facing money laundering charges in connection with the Aircel-Maxis deal, has had his offices raided in the past as well. (WION with inputs from ANI)

Chidambaram raids: CBI also searches Peter Mukerjea's house

The CBI has arrested an income tax commissioner and five others in connection with an alleged bribe of over Rs 19 lakh taken to favour a major corporate group.

CBI sources said the commissioner B B Rajendra Prasad and one other person has been arrested from Vishakhapatnam while four others have been taken into custody from Mumbai.

The sources said the case pertains to over Rs 19 lakh allegedly taken as bribe by the Commissioner.

They said during the searches Rs 1.5 crore have been seized by the agency.

It is alleged that the bribe was taken to favour a corporate house.

(PTI)

The sources said the case pertains to over Rs 19 lakh allegedly taken as bribe by the Commissioner.

The CBI has arrested an income tax commissioner and five others in connection with an alleged bribe of over Rs 19 lakh taken to favour a major corporate group. CBI sources said the commissioner B B Rajendra Prasad and one other person has been arrested from Vishakhapatnam while four others have been taken into custody from Mumbai. The sources said the case pertains to over Rs 19 lakh allegedly taken as bribe by the Commissioner. They said during the searches Rs 1.5 crore have been seized by the agency. It is alleged that the bribe was taken to favour a corporate house. (PTI)

CBI arrests income tax commissioner in bribery case

The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has filed a corruption case against its ex-director Ranjit Sinha for allegedly meeting people accused in the coal scam and influencing the probe.

The CBI has filed a First Information Report(FIR) against the ex-director.

The action against Ranjit Sinha came after the Supreme Court directed the agency to constitute a special investigation team(SIT) to look into the allegations against Sinha.

The Supreme Court had tasked a former special director of the CBI with looking into the visitors&#39; diary at Sinha&#39;s official residence which allegedly showed that several accused of the coal block allocation scam case were regular visitors to his house.

Ranjit Sinha, a 1974-batch IPS officer, was the CBI director between 2012 to&nbsp;2014.

(WION with agency inputs)&nbsp;

The CBI has charged its ex-director Ranjit Sinha for allegedly meeting people accused in the coal scam and influencing the probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) has filed a corruption case against its ex-director Ranjit Sinha for allegedly meeting people accused in the coal scam and influencing the probe. The CBI has filed a First Information Report(FIR) against the ex-director. The action against Ranjit Sinha came after the Supreme Court directed the agency to constitute a special investigation team(SIT) to look into the allegations against Sinha. The Supreme Court had tasked a former special director of the CBI with looking into the visitors' diary at Sinha's official residence which allegedly showed that several accused of the coal block allocation scam case were regular visitors to his house. Ranjit Sinha, a 1974-batch IPS officer, was the CBI director between 2012 to 2014. (WION with agency inputs)

CBI files corruption case against its ex-director Ranjit Sinha

The Calcutta High Court, on Friday, ordered a CBI preliminary probe into the Narada sting operation in which some TMC leaders were seen allegedly taking money.&nbsp;

The court also directed the CBI to register an FIR, if required, after completion of the preliminary enquiry and initaite formal investigation thereafter.&nbsp;

Terming the court order stopping the Kolkata Police probe as &quot;unfortunate&quot;, the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, said that the Trinamool Congress government will challenge the order in the Supreme Court.&nbsp;

The Opposition parties led by the Left Front launched an attack on the TMC government. The Left Front took out a rally demanding inclusion of chief minister Mamata Banerjee under the purview of investigation and the immediate arrests of all those who were caught taking bribes.

&quot;We demand that the CBI should be pro-active. It should immediately arrest the TMC leaders involved in the Narada scam. The chief minister should also be brought under the purview of the investigation as it is her party leaders and cabinet ministers who are involved in the scam,&quot; Surya Kanta Mishra, CPI(M) state secretary, said while addressing the rally.

&quot;The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee should stop shielding the TMC MPs and take up an active role. The CBI should be allowed to work freely and the political match-fixing between the BJP and the TMC should not affect the investigation,&quot; he added.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice T Chakraborti directed the CBI to take possession of all material and devices related to the sting operation within 24 hours and to conclude the preliminary enquiry within another 72 hours, PTI reported.

The division bench of the Calcutta High Court observed that given the persons involved in the case which include ministers and senior leaders of the ruling government, it would be appropriate to let the CBI and not any state agency to conduct a preliminary enquiry, PTI said.

The court also observed that a report by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Chandigarh had said that the tapes were not tampered.

The court directed the state government to initiate disciplinary action against IPS officer SMH Mirza, who was allegedly seen in one of the tapes. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Narada tapes were released to various news organisations just before the West Bengal assembly elections last year. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5fixgFJzFm8" width="725"></iframe>

(WION with inputs from PTI)

The court also directed the CBI to register an FIR, if required, after completion of the preliminary enquiry

The Calcutta High Court, on Friday, ordered a CBI preliminary probe into the Narada sting operation in which some TMC leaders were seen allegedly taking money. The court also directed the CBI to register an FIR, if required, after completion of the preliminary enquiry and initaite formal investigation thereafter. Terming the court order stopping the Kolkata Police probe as "unfortunate", the chief minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, said that the Trinamool Congress government will challenge the order in the Supreme Court. The Opposition parties led by the Left Front launched an attack on the TMC government. The Left Front took out a rally demanding inclusion of chief minister Mamata Banerjee under the purview of investigation and the immediate arrests of all those who were caught taking bribes. "We demand that the CBI should be pro-active. It should immediately arrest the TMC leaders involved in the Narada scam. The chief minister should also be brought under the purview of the investigation as it is her party leaders and cabinet ministers who are involved in the scam," Surya Kanta Mishra, CPI(M) state secretary, said while addressing the rally. "The Lok Sabha Ethics Committee should stop shielding the TMC MPs and take up an active role. The CBI should be allowed to work freely and the political match-fixing between the BJP and the TMC should not affect the investigation," he added. A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Nishita Mhatre and Justice T Chakraborti directed the CBI to take possession of all material and devices related to the sting operation within 24 hours and to conclude the preliminary enquiry within another 72 hours, PTI reported. The division bench of the Calcutta High Court observed that given the persons involved in the case which include ministers and senior leaders of the ruling government, it would be appropriate to let the CBI and not any state agency to conduct a preliminary enquiry, PTI said. The court also observed that a report by the Central Forensic Science Laboratory in Chandigarh had said that the tapes were not tampered. The court directed the state government to initiate disciplinary action against IPS officer SMH Mirza, who was allegedly seen in one of the tapes. The Narada tapes were released to various news organisations just before the West Bengal assembly elections last year. (WION with inputs from PTI)

Calcutta High Court orders CBI probe in Narada case

Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine that has&nbsp;stealth technology and the ability to&nbsp;attack with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles while&nbsp;underwater or on the surface, was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL).

The state of the art features of this Scorpene class submarine include superior stealth and the ability to launch an attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon. The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force.

Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre presided over the function to initiate the launch of Khanderi. The submarine was launched by the Union minister&#39;s wife, Bina Bhamre.&nbsp;Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba was also present on the occasion when the submarine was separated from the pontoon on which it was assembled. 
 
Khanderi&nbsp;can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine, from anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare to&nbsp;intelligence gathering, mine laying and&nbsp;area surveillance. Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century. Khanderi is also the name for Tiger Shark.&nbsp;

Khanderi is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with M/s DCNS of France, as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. The first one, Kalvari, is completing sea trials and will be commissioned shortly into the Indian Navy.&nbsp;

The Indian Navy&#39;s submarine arm will complete 50 years on December 8 this year.&nbsp;The Submarine Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth of the submarine arm with induction of the first submarine, erstwhile INS Kalvari, into the Indian Navy on December 8, 1967.

India joined the exclusive group of submarine constructing nations on February 7, 1992, with the commissioning of the first Indian-built submarine, INS Shalki.

The MDL built this submarine and went on to commission another submarine, INS Shankul, on May 28, 1994. These submarines are still in service today.

&nbsp;(PTI)

Supreme Court has set up a team to look into charges against ex-CBI chief Ranjit Sinha's attempt to influence the coal scam probe

Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine that has stealth technology and the ability to attack with torpedoes as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles while underwater or on the surface, was launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The state of the art features of this Scorpene class submarine include superior stealth and the ability to launch an attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon. The submarine is designed to operate in all theatres, including the tropics. All means and communications are provided to ensure interoperability with other components of a Naval task force. Union Minister of State for Defence Subhash Bhamre presided over the function to initiate the launch of Khanderi. The submarine was launched by the Union minister's wife, Bina Bhamre. Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba was also present on the occasion when the submarine was separated from the pontoon on which it was assembled. Khanderi can undertake multifarious types of missions typically undertaken by any modern submarine, from anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare to intelligence gathering, mine laying and area surveillance. Khanderi is named after the Island fort of Maratha forces, which played a vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in the late 17th century. Khanderi is also the name for Tiger Shark. Khanderi is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with M/s DCNS of France, as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. The first one, Kalvari, is completing sea trials and will be commissioned shortly into the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy's submarine arm will complete 50 years on December 8 this year. The Submarine Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the birth of the submarine arm with induction of the first submarine, erstwhile INS Kalvari, into the Indian Navy on December 8, 1967. India joined the exclusive group of submarine constructing nations on February 7, 1992, with the commissioning of the first Indian-built submarine, INS Shalki. The MDL built this submarine and went on to commission another submarine, INS Shankul, on May 28, 1994. These submarines are still in service today. (PTI)

Coal scam case: India's highest court sets up panel to investigate ex-CBI director

Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma was today appointed director of CBI, India&#39;s premier probe agency.

His name was cleared by a three-member selection panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, and Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge as members.

The post of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director was lying vacant for over one month following Anil Sinha&#39;s retirement on December 2.

At present, Gujarat-cadre Indian Police Service&nbsp;(IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana is the interim director of the investigating agency.

Verma, a 1979 batch IPS officer of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, took over as Delhi Police commissioner from February 29, 2016.&nbsp;

(PTI)

His name was cleared by a three-member selection panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Delhi Police Commissioner Alok Kumar Verma was today appointed director of CBI, India's premier probe agency. His name was cleared by a three-member selection panel headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comprising Chief Justice of India Jagdish Singh Khehar, and Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge as members. The post of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) director was lying vacant for over one month following Anil Sinha's retirement on December 2. At present, Gujarat-cadre Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rakesh Asthana is the interim director of the investigating agency. Verma, a 1979 batch IPS officer of Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories (AGMUT) cadre, took over as Delhi Police commissioner from February 29, 2016. (PTI)

Delhi Police commissioner Alok Kumar Verma named new CBI chief

India&#39;s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a first information report (FIR) against some customers of digital wallet Paytm on the company&#39;s complaint that it has allegedly been cheated to the tune of Rs 6.15 lakh by customers based here.

It is rare for the agency to take up such cases unless they have been referred by the central government or there are directions by the Supreme Court or a high court.

CBI has registered FIR against 15 customers who are residents of Kalkaji, Govindpuri and Saket besides unknown officials of One97 Communications--parent company of Paytm.

The complaint from the Manager Legal, M Sivakumar, claimed that the company makes payment for defective products received by a customer and also arranges a reverse pickup of the damaged product which is sent to the merchant.

The process is done by a team of customer care executives who have been assigned specific IDs and passwords to handle such complaints from the customers and arrange refund and pickup.

It is alleged that the company found that in 48 cases customers had received refunds even though the delivery of orders was made successfully to them.

&quot;As a matter of facts wherein delivery of orders were successful and satisfactory to the customer, refund should not happen. However, in all these 48 cases refund of order amount happened to the respective customers to the tune of Rs 6.15 lakh,&quot; the complaint, which is now part of the FIR, alleged.

It alleged that customers &quot;illegally&quot; appropriated money refunded in their bank accounts and wallets.

It claimed that the acts reflects &quot;serious&quot; fraudulent act and foul play with common intention to wrongfully gain along with such involved customers.

The alleged fraud occurred in 2015-16.

The USD five-billion digital wallet company, which got a big boost in transactions after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, claimed that the accused first got details of internal working of the company and then executed their plans.

&quot;Accused persons first acquired knowledge as to how the system of complainants&#39; company works and conspired to book orders, take deliveries of products at common addresses known and or belonging to them and their accomplices and then made or managed false and fabricated entries in computer system of complainant company and approved/made fraudulent refunds against the same orders, delivery of which were taken by their accomplices,&quot; the company alleged.

The company alleged that most of these customers had taken deliveries of products at common or similar addresses.

Naming the customers in the FIR, the company claimed that they may be instrumental in said fraudulent acts and could be known to each other forming bigger part of the larger conspiracy.

The company has information that in those cases where refunds were made, money was further transferred from wallet to bank accounts of either accused persons or people known to each other, it alleged.

The company claimed that the refunds were made within five to six minutes of disputes being raised by the customer.

(PTI)

It alleged that customers 'illegally' appropriated money refunded in their bank accounts and wallets

India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a first information report (FIR) against some customers of digital wallet Paytm on the company's complaint that it has allegedly been cheated to the tune of Rs 6.15 lakh by customers based here. It is rare for the agency to take up such cases unless they have been referred by the central government or there are directions by the Supreme Court or a high court. CBI has registered FIR against 15 customers who are residents of Kalkaji, Govindpuri and Saket besides unknown officials of One97 Communications--parent company of Paytm. The complaint from the Manager Legal, M Sivakumar, claimed that the company makes payment for defective products received by a customer and also arranges a reverse pickup of the damaged product which is sent to the merchant. The process is done by a team of customer care executives who have been assigned specific IDs and passwords to handle such complaints from the customers and arrange refund and pickup. It is alleged that the company found that in 48 cases customers had received refunds even though the delivery of orders was made successfully to them. "As a matter of facts wherein delivery of orders were successful and satisfactory to the customer, refund should not happen. However, in all these 48 cases refund of order amount happened to the respective customers to the tune of Rs 6.15 lakh," the complaint, which is now part of the FIR, alleged. It alleged that customers "illegally" appropriated money refunded in their bank accounts and wallets. It claimed that the acts reflects "serious" fraudulent act and foul play with common intention to wrongfully gain along with such involved customers. The alleged fraud occurred in 2015-16. The USD five-billion digital wallet company, which got a big boost in transactions after demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 8, claimed that the accused first got details of internal working of the company and then executed their plans. "Accused persons first acquired knowledge as to how the system of complainants' company works and conspired to book orders, take deliveries of products at common addresses known and or belonging to them and their accomplices and then made or managed false and fabricated entries in computer system of complainant company and approved/made fraudulent refunds against the same orders, delivery of which were taken by their accomplices," the company alleged. The company alleged that most of these customers had taken deliveries of products at common or similar addresses. Naming the customers in the FIR, the company claimed that they may be instrumental in said fraudulent acts and could be known to each other forming bigger part of the larger conspiracy. The company has information that in those cases where refunds were made, money was further transferred from wallet to bank accounts of either accused persons or people known to each other, it alleged. The company claimed that the refunds were made within five to six minutes of disputes being raised by the customer. (PTI)

Paytm alleges customers cheated it, India's investigation agency registers case

An Indian judge will on Friday deliver his verdict in the rape and death of the 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling -- eight years after her half-naked corpse was found on the popular Anjuna beach in India&#39;s resort state of Goa.&nbsp; 
 
Police had at first dismissed the death as an accidental drowning but reopened the case after Scarlett&#39;s mother Fiona MacKeown insisted on a second autopsy which showed the 15-year-old had been raped and drugged.&nbsp; 
 
The two men accused of causing her death -- Samson D&#39;Souza and Placido Carvalho -- have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, using force with intent to outrage a woman&#39;s modesty, and of administering drugs with intent to harm. 
 
They are accused of plying Scarlett with drinks and drugs, including cocaine, and then leaving her in shallow waters in which she drowned.&nbsp; 
 
Mrs MacKeown had wanted stronger charges levelled against the two men but the federal agency the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over the investigation from the Goa Police, said they did not have the evidence needed to charge the men with the stronger accusations.&nbsp; 
 
Scarlett had been at a beach party before she died.&nbsp; 
 
Mrs MacKeown herself and her other daughters were at the time on holiday in the neighbouring state of Karnataka and had left Scarlett behind in the care of a Goan family. That was a decision Mrs MacKeown said she came to &quot;bitterly regret&quot; -- and which brought her in for a tremendous amount of censure back in Britain.&nbsp; 
Mrs MacKeown will be in Goa when the judge delivers his verdict.&nbsp; 
 
Delays &amp; setback:&nbsp; 
 
The case itself has been dogged by delays, including infrequent hearings due to a backlog of cases and a public prosecutor withdrawing from proceedings.&nbsp; 
 
The prosecution&#39;s case was also dealt a blow when a key witness, the Briton Michael Mannion, who had been staying with D&#39;Souza, refused to testify.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;It was important for the judge to hear Mannion&#39;s testimony to convict. So that was a setback,&quot; prosecution lawyer Vikram Varma told AFP.&nbsp; 
 
&quot;(But) I&#39;m keeping my fingers crossed that after all this struggle we may get a verdict of guilty,&quot; he added.&nbsp; 
 
(WION with inputs from AFP)

Fifteen-year-old Scarlett's bruised and half-naked body was found on Anjuna beach in the resort state of Goa eight years ago

An Indian judge will on Friday deliver his verdict in the rape and death of the 15-year-old British schoolgirl Scarlett Keeling -- eight years after her half-naked corpse was found on the popular Anjuna beach in India's resort state of Goa. Police had at first dismissed the death as an accidental drowning but reopened the case after Scarlett's mother Fiona MacKeown insisted on a second autopsy which showed the 15-year-old had been raped and drugged. The two men accused of causing her death -- Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho -- have been charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, using force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty, and of administering drugs with intent to harm. They are accused of plying Scarlett with drinks and drugs, including cocaine, and then leaving her in shallow waters in which she drowned. Mrs MacKeown had wanted stronger charges levelled against the two men but the federal agency the Central Bureau of Investigation, which took over the investigation from the Goa Police, said they did not have the evidence needed to charge the men with the stronger accusations. Scarlett had been at a beach party before she died. Mrs MacKeown herself and her other daughters were at the time on holiday in the neighbouring state of Karnataka and had left Scarlett behind in the care of a Goan family. That was a decision Mrs MacKeown said she came to "bitterly regret" -- and which brought her in for a tremendous amount of censure back in Britain. Mrs MacKeown will be in Goa when the judge delivers his verdict. Delays & setback: The case itself has been dogged by delays, including infrequent hearings due to a backlog of cases and a public prosecutor withdrawing from proceedings. The prosecution's case was also dealt a blow when a key witness, the Briton Michael Mannion, who had been staying with D'Souza, refused to testify. "It was important for the judge to hear Mannion's testimony to convict. So that was a setback," prosecution lawyer Vikram Varma told AFP. "(But) I'm keeping my fingers crossed that after all this struggle we may get a verdict of guilty," he added. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Scarlett Keeling case: Indian court to deliver verdict on Friday

India&#39;s defence ministry has written to the central bureau of investigation seeking a probe into the $208-million Embraer aircraft deal that has come under cloud over alleged graft, Indian news agency PTI reported today.&nbsp; 
 
The deal was inked in 2008 under the tenure of former United Progressive Alliance &nbsp;(UPA) government between Brazilian company, Embraer, and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&amp;C (airborne early warning and control systems). 
 
Defence Research and Development Organization, the research and development wing of the defence ministry, chief on Monday briefed Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar.&nbsp; 
 
The DRDO has already approached the Brazilian company Embraer for an explanation over media reports suggesting the firm had hired an Indian middlemen based in the United Kingdom to get the deal through in 2008. 
 
&quot;I am not going to give a knee jerk reaction and just make a statement based on rumours. I have asked for a report which will be submitted on Monday, and if the issues are of a criminal nature, then we can forward this case to the CBI for a criminal investigation and if there are just procedural issues then we can do an internal investigation,&quot; Parrikar was quoted as saying by media.&nbsp; 
 
Embraer has been under investigation by the United States Justice Department since 2010 when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans&#39; suspicions. 
 
 
(WION with inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The $208-million aircraft deal inked in 2008 has come under cloud over alleged graft

India's defence ministry has written to the central bureau of investigation seeking a probe into the $208-million Embraer aircraft deal that has come under cloud over alleged graft, Indian news agency PTI reported today. The deal was inked in 2008 under the tenure of former United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government between Brazilian company, Embraer, and the DRDO for three aircraft equipped with indigenous radars for AEW&C (airborne early warning and control systems). Defence Research and Development Organization, the research and development wing of the defence ministry, chief on Monday briefed Indian defence minister Manohar Parrikar. The DRDO has already approached the Brazilian company Embraer for an explanation over media reports suggesting the firm had hired an Indian middlemen based in the United Kingdom to get the deal through in 2008. "I am not going to give a knee jerk reaction and just make a statement based on rumours. I have asked for a report which will be submitted on Monday, and if the issues are of a criminal nature, then we can forward this case to the CBI for a criminal investigation and if there are just procedural issues then we can do an internal investigation," Parrikar was quoted as saying by media. Embraer has been under investigation by the United States Justice Department since 2010 when a contract with the Dominican Republic raised the Americans' suspicions. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India's defence ministry writes to central bureau of investigation over Embraer deal

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today filed a charge sheet in the Antrix-Devas deal case naming former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) G Madhavan Nair and other senior officials who have been accused of facilitating &quot;wrongful&quot; gain of Rs 578 crore to private multi-media company Devas by Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO.&nbsp; 
 
Besides Nair, others named in the charge sheet filed by central investigative agency include the then executive director of Antrix K R Sridhar Murthy, former managing director of Forge Advisors and CEO of Devas, Ramachandra Vishwanathan, and the then Director of Devas M G Chandrasekhar. 
 
The charge sheet filed at the designated court here also named former additional secretary in the department of space, Veena S Rao, the then Director in ISRO A Bhaskar Narayana Rao and two directors of Devas Multi media D Venugopal and M Umesh. 
 
The CBI accused them of having committed offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to cheating and certain provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly being party to a criminal conspiracy with an intent to cause undue gain to themselves or others by abusing their official positions. 
 
It has been alleged that the government officials abused their position to favour Devas by giving them rights for delivery of videos, multimedia content and information services to mobile phones using S-Band through GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites and terrestrial systems in India. 
 
The accused officials &quot;thus caused wrongful gain of Rs 578 crore&quot; to the private firm and its owners, CBI alleged. 
 
The agency said a deal between Antrix and Devas was fixed in principle in January 2005 for lease of S-Band transponders. However, the then Executive Director of Antrix signed it on six months later only after ensuring that Chandrashekhar and Vishwanathan became majority stakeholders in Devas. They continued in that position till 2009. 
 
The change in the board, where a US company represented by Chandrashekhar and Vishwanathan had majority stakes, was never verified by Antrix as the agreement had been in violation of Shankara Committee recommendations which said execution of any such agreement should be entered into with an Indian company alone, it was contended. 
 
Money had been transferred to the US company from the accounts of a Bangalore-based private company, the CBI alleged. 
 
Further investigation is continuing regarding issues of demand of S-Band frequency by other users including Ministry of Defence for strategic purpose and Department of Telecom, the CBI said. 
 
Nair had been questioned by the CBI in May this year during which he was asked about the details of the contract signed between Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia Private Limited on January 28, 2005. He was the chairman of ISRO and Secretary, department of space. 
 
The charge sheet comes a month after India lost its arbitration case in an international tribunal over Antrix scrapping a deal with Devas and is liable to pay compensation which could run into millions of dollars. 
 
(PTI)&nbsp;

G Madhavan Nair has been accused of facilitating 'wrongful' gain of Rs 578 crore to private company Devas by Antrix, ISRO's commercial arm

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today filed a charge sheet in the Antrix-Devas deal case naming former chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) G Madhavan Nair and other senior officials who have been accused of facilitating "wrongful" gain of Rs 578 crore to private multi-media company Devas by Antrix, the commercial arm of ISRO. Besides Nair, others named in the charge sheet filed by central investigative agency include the then executive director of Antrix K R Sridhar Murthy, former managing director of Forge Advisors and CEO of Devas, Ramachandra Vishwanathan, and the then Director of Devas M G Chandrasekhar. The charge sheet filed at the designated court here also named former additional secretary in the department of space, Veena S Rao, the then Director in ISRO A Bhaskar Narayana Rao and two directors of Devas Multi media D Venugopal and M Umesh. The CBI accused them of having committed offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) pertaining to cheating and certain provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly being party to a criminal conspiracy with an intent to cause undue gain to themselves or others by abusing their official positions. It has been alleged that the government officials abused their position to favour Devas by giving them rights for delivery of videos, multimedia content and information services to mobile phones using S-Band through GSAT-6 and GSAT-6A satellites and terrestrial systems in India. The accused officials "thus caused wrongful gain of Rs 578 crore" to the private firm and its owners, CBI alleged. The agency said a deal between Antrix and Devas was fixed in principle in January 2005 for lease of S-Band transponders. However, the then Executive Director of Antrix signed it on six months later only after ensuring that Chandrashekhar and Vishwanathan became majority stakeholders in Devas. They continued in that position till 2009. The change in the board, where a US company represented by Chandrashekhar and Vishwanathan had majority stakes, was never verified by Antrix as the agreement had been in violation of Shankara Committee recommendations which said execution of any such agreement should be entered into with an Indian company alone, it was contended. Money had been transferred to the US company from the accounts of a Bangalore-based private company, the CBI alleged. Further investigation is continuing regarding issues of demand of S-Band frequency by other users including Ministry of Defence for strategic purpose and Department of Telecom, the CBI said. Nair had been questioned by the CBI in May this year during which he was asked about the details of the contract signed between Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia Private Limited on January 28, 2005. He was the chairman of ISRO and Secretary, department of space. The charge sheet comes a month after India lost its arbitration case in an international tribunal over Antrix scrapping a deal with Devas and is liable to pay compensation which could run into millions of dollars. (PTI)

Former Indian Space Research Organisation chief named in Antrix-Devas charge sheet

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