CBI arrests Commerce ministry official for alleged corruption

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today said it had arrested Mr R K Jain, Director (Anti-Dumping) in the Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry for alleged corruption and registered three regular cases against him and some others.

The others against whom the cases have been filed include officials of three private companies, a tout and a company. The cases have been filed under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, the agency said in a press release.

Mr Jain, who belongs to the Indian Costs and Accounts Service, was arrested yesterday. The cases were registered on August 19.

According to the CBI, searches were conducted at 15 locations in Delhi, Noida, Mumbai and Jharkhand, including the residential and official premsies of the accused persons and companies. The raids yielded incriminating documents, cash worth Rs 7.25 lakhs, documents relating to several bank accounts, bank lockers and investments in real estate, among other things. A laptop computer has also been seized, the release said.

The release said Mr Jain was to be produced before the competent court today.

The CBI said that the first case involved a Mumbai-based company. Mr Jain was responsible for dealing with the complaints regarding non-compliance of anti-dumping provisions against the delinquent companies.

The agency said the Director (Anti-Dumping) was in league with the affected companies and sought undue favours and illegal gratifications from them.

The second case relates to a Delhi-based company. The CBI has filed a case against the official and the Cost Accountant of the company. According to it, the official was seeking gratification from the company in lieu of of performing his official duty under the anti-dumping provisions.

The third case has been registered against a tout and a director fo a Jharkhand-based company as well as the company. According to it, the tout mediated between buyers and sellers for ensuring supply of coal as part of the deal. The Director (Anti-Dumping) allegedly sought gratifications and undue favours for getting coal linkages for the company from the Ministry of Coal by abusing his official position and using his personal contacts with the officials of the Ministry of Coal.

NNN