Petroleum Ministry official to be charged on August 16

Besides Uday Shankar, Joint Director (Investigation), Anti-adulteration Cell in the Ministry of Petroleum, Special CBI Judge Rakesh Syal on August 7 has ordered framing of charges against his associate Sanjeev Kumar and Naveen Jain who was acting as a conduit and businessman S K Gupta.

However, after the counsel for Sanjeev requested for a change in the date on the ground that he has left for Tamil Nadu in connection with some religious matter and he would be returning on August 15, the judge said "put up for framing of charges on August 16".

Finding prima facie evidence against Shankar that he had abused his official position, the court said there is evidence on record to show that a conspiracy was hatched between the accused to sell adulterated petroleum products for which the officer received illegal gratification of Rs 7 lakh.

CBI alleged Gupta used to deal with naptha which were being illegally diverted for adulteration of petrol, and the officer did not take any action.

The court will formally frame charges for the offences of cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption against them.

All of them were arrested by CBI on May 22, 2004, and the investigating agency alleged the officer was apprehended whille he was taking bribe.

The agency also accused the officer of amassing property disproportionate to known sources of his income.

During a secret surveillance, it was learnt that he was allegedly accepting the bribe through Naveen from several businessman and officials, the prosecution said.