KOCHI: After completing the probe into the graft related to the sale of gypsum by Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd (FACT), the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sent a report to its headquarters seeking nod to file a chargesheet in the case.
The CBI had registered a case in October 2016 after unearthing massive graft related to the sale of gypsum from FACT to private companies. Former FACT chief managing director Jaiveer Srivasatava; chief general manager (CGM) Srinath Kammath; CGM Ambika I S; CGM Panchan Poddar; deputy general manager Daniel Madhukar; NSS Trade India Private Ltd head Santhosh Shetty and Nagarguna Chemicals Private Ltd MD Mukund Maheswari were arraigned in the case.
"The investigating officer of the case retired from service around six months ago. However, he had completed the investigation part. The report was prepared by another officer. We have sent the report to the HQ seeking approval to complete the remaining procedures. We will file the chargesheet in the case after receiving approval from the headquarters," sources with the CBI said.
Around two months have passed since the report was sent to CBI headquarters. Some clarification regarding the report was sought a month before. "The decision regarding the filing of chargesheet will be taken on the basis of the advice from the headquarters. We expect that the final nod will be given within a month and we will be able to file the report before the court soon," an officer said.
Earlier, the CBI had closed the disproportionate assets case registered against Srinath Kammath. "It was found that the wealth with Srinath Kammath was his ancestral properties. The amount received from the sale of the property was deposited in the bank," the CBI officer said. The graft was reported after FACT made an agreement with the Hyderabad-based private firm for selling gypsum, a byproduct of FACT. The gypsum which is being sold to cement manufacturing companies, including India Cements, for `600 to `2,100 a tonne for many years, was given to the Hyderabad-based firm at `130 per tonne.
The firm which entered into a bulk purchase agreement with FACT allegedly violated the norms mentioned in the pact. According to the agreement, the private firm can sell gypsum procured from FACT to cement companies, but can’t sell it as fertilizer. Only FACT has the authority to sell this product as soil conditioners as its branded product. But the firm which procured gypsum for `130 per tonne is marketing it as soil conditioner at `300 per 50-kg sack.