The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered the First Information Report (FIR) on 31 March 2024 against the Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), eight officials of NMDC Limited and NMDC Iron and Steel Plant (NISP) Limited and two officials of MECON limited that come under the Ministry of Steel, in connection with a contract worth over Rs 314.57 crore, as reported by The Hindu. 

The agency is probing the allegation of corruption based on a complaint by the NMDC’s (Hyderabad) chief vigilance officer. It was alleged that a contract for the works of intake well and pump house, drinking water treatment plant and cross-country pipeline including five years’ operation and maintenance at Chhattisgarh’s Jagdalpur, had been awarded to MEIL. On 23 January 2015, the contract was executed between NMDC Limited and a consortium comprising MEIL and Koya Company Construction Limited. The project was to be commissioned in 24 months. 

“A complaint dated March 18 by Arjun Vasant Pawar, Dy SP, (ACB-Chhattisgarh) addressed to the head of branch was received alleging that eight officials of NISP/NMDC and two officials of Mecon Ltd received bribe against payment by MNDC to Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL). So, an FIR was registered,” said a senior officer to Times of India.

The complainant alleged that fake vouchers showing payments to the labourers were submitted by the company. The FIR stated,

“Enquiry in respect of email communication dated 19.12.2018 addressed to Shri S Subhash Chandra, GM, MEIL by Shah Kunal Engineer Cons. Mgt, MEIL with copy to Jaya prakash, site accountant, MEIL, disclosed that till December 2018, Ms MEIL received Rs 1,74,41, 28,498 from NMDC Ltd against 73 invoices raised by them,’ 

The agency had also found email communications revealing that payments were made to the accused officials for various favours, including clearance of bills and invoices. 

The CBI’s probe revealed that the eight officials of NISP and NMDC Limited had received Rs 73,85,517, and two officials of MECON Limited had received Rs 5,01,735 as against the payment of over Rs 174.41 crore by NMDC Limited to MEIL with respect to 73 invoices raised by MEIL and Mr. Sangras till December 2018.