CHENNAI: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) conducted searches at 60 locations across the state on Wednesday as part of its probe into alleged irregularities in the procurement of 2,07,495 km of aluminium conductors by Tangedco/TNPDCL.
The searches covered the residences of TNPDCL officials, other public servants, private individuals, aluminium conductor manufacturing companies and offices of bidders. Tender-related documents, digital evidence, other incriminating materials and details of shell companies were seized.
Minister for Energy CTR Nirmal Kumar had said during the release of the white paper for TNEB in June this year that the department had identified alleged irregularities amounting to about `1,028 crores in nine tenders pertaining to conductor procurement, independent of the ongoing CBI case pertaining to transformer procurement.
The raids were conducted based on a case was registered on June 30 under Sections 120-B (punishment of criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property ) and 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent) of the IPC and Sections 13(1)(a) and 7(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, against unknown TANGEDCO/TNPDCL officials, other public servants, private individuals and bidders.
The case followed a discreet inquiry conducted by the DVAC based on documents received from the managing director, TNEB. The inquiry disclosed prima facie information indicating a cognisable offence, according to an official release from DVAC.
According to the DVAC, multiple suppliers had quoted identical or similar rates, while tender documents were uploaded from a common IP address, indicating possible cartelisation in the tender process. The final rates quoted were also higher.
The officials and private individuals are suspected of colluding with suppliers, entering into a criminal conspiracy and misusing their official positions, allegedly causing loss to the government exchequer.