Jharkhand chief secy seeks probe into SS scam

The police secret service fund scam in Jharkhand involving Rs 8.10 crore has taken a new turn with the report of chief secretary Ashok Kumar Singh submitting before Jharkhand High Court on August 23 for a probe by an independent agency. Chief secretary spoke of gross violation of rules while using secret service funds which are mainly meant for intelligence gathering, especially about Naxalite activities in the state.

The former director general of police (DGP), now DG (homeguards), Vishnu Dayal Ram failed to submit the utilisation certificate to the Accountant General (AG), Jharkhand over withdrawal of Rs 5.60 crore in cash on a single voucher from the Project Building treasury in Ranchi on March 16, 2006, when it should have been drawn from the Doranda treasury, which is designated for secret service funds.

Chief secretary questioned Ram for withdrawing the funds personally when according to rules, the additional DGP (special branch) is the drawing and disbursing officer for the fund.

According to chief secretary's report, Ram pleaded his innocence and said decisions were taken in public interest and relevant papers were destroyed to maintain secrecy.

The chief secretary questioned Ram's list of police officers and independent sources who reportedly received the money from the secret service fund. The former DG (Ram) had furnished a list of 192 police officers and the informers who were given money from the secret service fund during 2005-06. According to chief secretary's report, several SPs, who were listed by Ram to have been given the money, maintained they were not given any funds during the said period.