Probe into 'financial irregularities' by CBI officials ordered

A Vigilance Court in Kerala today ordered a probe against CBI officials who allegedly did not pay rent to government rest houses for rooms occupied during official work, saying there is no government order allowing such stay in PWD rest houses for investigation purposes.
Enquiry Commissioner and Special Judge (Vigilance) Court, Muvattupuzha, P Madhavan, directed state Vigilance and Anti- Corruption Bureau to conduct the probe against CBI officials who had stayed at government-owned rest houses allegedly without paying the rent.
Human rights activist Joemon Puthenpurackal had alleged that Ernakulam District Collector and Chief Engineer, PWD Department, were entrusted with affairs of the PWD Rest House and two rooms were allotted for CBI's use from February 16, 1999 to October 18, 2007.

An amount of Rs 9,49,500 was due and the officials concerned had not collected the same from the CBI officers, the petitioner claimed.
Noting that CBI SP, Ernakulam is responsible for payment of rent amount to the District and PWD authorities, the petitioner alleged that he has not made the payment till date.
Considering the petition, the Special Judge said, "There is no government order to facilitate giving of rooms in PWD rest house for investigation purposes."

It noted that a Quick Verification report by DySP special cell, Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, had confirmed the charges and there was sufficient material to proceed against CBI SP, District Collector and PWD Chief Engineer for "criminal misconduct and breach of trust" as alleged in the complaint.

The court also took note of another complaint by the petitioner alleging that the CBI officials had misused the situation and had occupied rooms at various rest houses in the state and no amount was realised and not action is taken.
"It is not clear whether the officers who had availed free accommodation have claimed TA and D A from Government of India in addition to the free accommodation. All these things has to be investigated," the court said in its order.
It directed the SP,VACB Special Cell to conduct proper enquiry on the actual persons in charge of the affairs during the period of occurrence and to file the names of the accused who have to face the investigation.