Sukh Ram, Two Others Chargesheeted

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) yesterday chargesheeted former communication minister Sukh Ram and two others, including DoT official Runu Ghosh, for causing a loss of Rs 1.66 crore to the department of telecommunications (DoT).

Also charge sheeted was Pataru Ramarao, promoter of the Hyderabad-based ARM Limited, the company whose premises were also raided on the day when Sukh Rams and Ghoshs residence were raided on August 16 last year. The three accused have been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act and under the Indian Penal Code for criminal conspiracy.

The charge sheet, filed in the court of special judge Ajit Bharihoke, has alleged that Sukh Ram had approved a contract of Rs 15 crore to ARM Limited for the purchase of cheaper quality of 2/15 MARR shared radio system for the DoT.

According to the charge sheet, equipments having local oscillators with synthesised frequency control and capability to withstand variation of input DC voltage was sought to be purchased by the DoT for which tenders were invited from suppliers. The tender evaluation committee recommended that 500 such systems be purchased at just over Rs 3.5 lakhs a piece for 1992-93.

Since ARM Limited was the only firm which had the type approval at that time, TEC recommended that an order for 500 piece be placed on the company. However, before the order could be placed Shyam Telecom also obtained the type approval so the order was split and Shyam Telecom was given the approval for the supply of 200 pieces and ARM 300 pieces.Over 2,500 pieces of the MARR radios were to be purchased during 1993-94 and it was found that the price of crystallised version of the radios fitted with duplicate LNA and other additional features manufactured by Shyam Telecom at Rs 3,40,750 was lower than what was being offered by ARM at Rs 3,45,000. The latters equipment was also found to be falling short of some technical requirements.

However, under Sukh Rams instructions, a higher quantity of these radios were ordered to be obtained from ARM Limited.

Ghosh is said to have advocated the case of ARM to the maximum extent possible and also wrote to the senior DDG, Telecom Engineering Centre directly without seeking the approval of her seniors. According to the charge sheet, several attempts by officials of the department to agitate the matter was of no avail.

Since payment was made to the Hyderabad firm at inflated rates for inferior systems, the CBI has alleged, that the firm gained a pecuniary advantage of Rs 1.66 crore.

The CBI is also expected to file the charge sheet in a case of disporportionate assets against the former communication minister shortly. The investigating agencies have so far been able to trace properties worth over Rs 30 crore belonging to him or his family members.