Anti-corruption probe launch ho gayi hai alleged tender rigging ke case mein Nagpur university contract ke liye

Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) ne ₹25 crore ka infrastructure project ke liye Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University mein alleged tender rigging ke case ki investigation launch kar di hai. Sources ke mutabik, inquiry early May 2024 mein trigger hui thi, jab complaints file hui thi ki certain bidders ne milke tendering process ko manipulate kiya tha new academic block ke construction ke liye. Officials ke anusaar, ACB ne Prevention of Corruption Act aur Indian Penal Code (IPC) ke sections ke under case register kiya hai, jo criminal conspiracy aur cheating se related hai. Preliminary findings se pata chalta hai ki bid prices ko artificially inflate kiya gaya tha aur kuch contractors ne sensitive information share ki ho sakti hai, taaki certain firms ko contract mil sake. University administration ne kaha hai ki wo investigating agency ke saath fully cooperate kar rahi hai aur tender process ki internal audit initiate ki hai. Nagpur-based contractor Satish Deshmukh, jisne apni firm ke through project ke liye bid submit kiya tha, ne reporters ko confirm kiya ki ACB ne use May 10, 2024 ko questioning ke liye summon kiya tha. Usne kisi bhi wrongdoing se inkaar kiya aur kaha ki sab documents official procedures ke anusaar submit kiye gaye the. University ke registrar, Dr. Vinayak Gajbhiye, ne press ko bataya ki project transparent process se approve hua tha aur initial verification ke dauran koi irregularities detect nahi hui thi. Ye pehla mauka nahi hai jab Nagpur University ko procurement practices ke liye scrutiny ka saamna karna pada hai. 2021 mein, hostel construction tenders mein alleged financial irregularities ke case ne teen officials ko suspend karne ke liye majboor kiya tha. Current investigation Maharashtra ke public institutions mein financial misconduct ke against heightened vigilance ka hissa hai. ACB ne abhi tak kisi individual ya firm ko accused nahi banaya hai aur kaha hai ki probe ongoing hai. Agla update next two weeks ke andar expected hai, jab investigators financial records, email communications, aur meeting minutes ko review karenge jo tender process se related hain.