CBI case against Navy officer

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, SEPT. 5. The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against a senior serving Navy officer and six ship- chandlers for placing orders worth nearly Rs. 5 crores in violation of directions of the Naval Headquarters.

CBI sources said the case was part of the defence deals put under the agency's scanner at the Government's request. The Defence Ministry also made available relevant papers pertaining to the deal, allegedly struck in contravention of the Naval Headquarters directions in 1995.

The sources said the deal could throw more light on the extent of arms dealers' influence in swinging defence agreements.

The CBI FIR said the Naval officer of the rank of Commodore while functioning as Material Superintendent, Visakhapatnam, entered into a criminal conspiracy with six ship- chandlers during 1994- 96 to cheat the Government in the purchase of spare parts and equipment for repair of ships and submarines at highly exorbitant rates. Commodore B. S. Bajwa, now posted in Delhi, had reinstated 70 supply orders worth Rs. 4.92 crores for procuring spares and equipment in June, 1996, the sources said.

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Section  : National
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