J&K Anti-Corruption Bureau Registers Case Against Former Chief Engineer & Hindustan Construction Company in Mughal Road Project Scandal
Jammu and Kashmir Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has filed a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act following an investigation into serious financial irregularities associated with the Mughal Road construction project.
Key Details of the Case:
Defendants: Raman Puri, former Chief Engineer of the Mughal Road Project, PWD (R&B) Department, and Hindustan Construction Company Ltd. (HCC).
Allegations: Fraudulent financial dealings, unauthorized acceptance of company claims, and circumventing government protocols.
Project Background: Contract for the Mughal Road from Bufliaz to Shopian-Pulwama was awarded to HCC in 2006 for ₹214.4 crore, later extended with a supplementary agreement worth ₹126.64 crore due to project delays.
Investigation Findings: The ACB’s investigation found that the Chief Engineer interacted informally with HCC representatives, allegedly for personal gain, bypassing procedural requirements. This led to the acceptance of HCC’s requests, resulting in an arbitration award of ₹32.79 crore in HCC’s favor, alongside a potential government loss of ₹54 crore in damages.
The case, registered under FIR No. 23/2024 at ACB Srinagar, is ongoing, with further investigations expected to uncover additional details surrounding the allegations of corruption and misuse of office.
