Numberplates scam: Firm to face Goa FIR

Close on the heels of the Allahabad high court’s Lucknow bench cancelling a contract for high- security registration plates in Uttar Pradesh, that also stopped a multi- crore scam in its tracks, the Goa police crime branch is all set to lodge an FIR against the same firm, Shimnit Utsch.

In the case of Goa, largescale irregularities were detected in the tender process which also favoured this company. The contract for Shimnit Utsch was later terminated in the wake of a highlevel inquiry by a state government- appointed committee.

Goa transport minister Ramakrishna Dhavlikar referred the entire case to the crime branch along with the committee’s findings. It is believed some politicians and bureaucrats changed tender norms and procedures to ensure this company got the Goa contract. The Goa government has also initiated a fresh tendering process, which is likely to be completed by mid- April. Sources said all controversial clauses have been removed in the new tender process.

It has also been revealed that similar contracts to Shimnit Utsch were also cancelled in Rajasthan and Karnataka over allegations of irregularities. In Rajasthan’s case, an inquiry is being conducted by the state anti- corruption bureau.

The CBI will, meanwhile, soon begin investigations into the UP HSRP scam on the Allahabad high court’s directions. The court asked the CBI to complete investigations in six months and report back to the court.

The Central Bureau of Investigation ( CBI) will soon begin its investigations into the high- security registration plates ( HSRP) scam in Uttar Pradesh, following directions from the Allahabad high court.

The Central agency has to complete its investigations within six months and submit its report to the high court.

What is important is that the CBI has been asked to look into the criminal aspect of the scam as well. The court observed, “The CBI is directed to investigate the entire process with regard to grant of contract, including the criminal antecedents and link of the opposite party.’’

CBI sources said they have received directions from the court and will soon launch its investigations. “There are allegations that some of the promoters of the company were booked under COFEPOSA so will investigate this aspect also,” an official said.

What the investigating agency, sources added, will also probe is whether the company has a cartel of at least two more firms with a view to get contracts for HSRP across the country.

The CBI’S investigations will also look into the possibility of whether this cartel of these three companies is duping the state governments of Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh where such number plates are being supplied for ` 1,800 each. Shockingly, this is nine times higher than the price accepted for the HSRP in Delhi.