<p>The agency filed its status report into the probe into the scam alleging Rakesh Shrivastava, Joint Secretary (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, is one of the suspects who granted prime lands near Kandla Port Trust on lease to private parties at throw-away prices for development of industries including salt manufacturing units.<br /><br />Around 6500 acres of land has been earmarked for the development of Special Economic Zone (SEZ).<br /><br />"Rakesh Shrivastava, Joint Secretary (Ports) in the Ministry of Shipping is one of the suspects named by the investigating officer. He has processed various files regarding renewal of leases and his role is being critically examined," CBI said in a status report filed today before a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. <br /><br />"Continuation of this officer at the post is likely to have adverse impact on the the on-going inquiry. A letter dated January 24 was sent to the Cabinet Secreatry, Goverment of India recommending that Shrivastava may be shifted/ transferred to some other department/ post not linked with matter in question," CBI told the bench also comprising Justice Sanjeev Khanna.<br /><br />The bench asked Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhiok to take instructions from the government on the issue and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.<br /><br />The directions came on a PIL filed by an NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), alleging irregularities in granting the prime 16,000 acre land to private players at a cheap rates as low as Rs 100 per acre. <br /><br />The NGO had sought an inquiry into the allegations and sought a direction for recalling and eviction of the land. It further said future allotment of the land should be done through competitive bidding.<br /><br />The bench had on April 4 directed CBI to file a status report on the matter.<br /><br />CBI submitted no action has been taken despite recommending transfer of Shrivastava.<br /><br />"There are other cases registered in which actions are being taken, required sanctions are being received and charge sheets are being filed," CBI counsel told the bench.<br /><br />CBI said the charge sheet has already been filed against some top officers of the KPT.<br /><br />"After completion of investigation, the charge sheet has been filed in a court of special judge in Ahmedabad against A Janardhan Rao, the then Chairman of KTP and others.<br /><br />"The sanction for prosecution in respect of B Tewari, Secretary of KPT, was declined by the Ministry. However, the competent authority has now communicated that they will accord sanction for his prosecution. The neccessary action will be taken accroodingly," the status report said.<br /><br />CBI told the court that the probe was at its final stage and is likey to complete in next three months. <br /><br /><br /><br /></p>
<p>The agency filed its status report into the probe into the scam alleging Rakesh Shrivastava, Joint Secretary (Ports), Ministry of Shipping, is one of the suspects who granted prime lands near Kandla Port Trust on lease to private parties at throw-away prices for development of industries including salt manufacturing units.<br /><br />Around 6500 acres of land has been earmarked for the development of Special Economic Zone (SEZ).<br /><br />"Rakesh Shrivastava, Joint Secretary (Ports) in the Ministry of Shipping is one of the suspects named by the investigating officer. He has processed various files regarding renewal of leases and his role is being critically examined," CBI said in a status report filed today before a bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra. <br /><br />"Continuation of this officer at the post is likely to have adverse impact on the the on-going inquiry. A letter dated January 24 was sent to the Cabinet Secreatry, Goverment of India recommending that Shrivastava may be shifted/ transferred to some other department/ post not linked with matter in question," CBI told the bench also comprising Justice Sanjeev Khanna.<br /><br />The bench asked Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhiok to take instructions from the government on the issue and posted the matter for further hearing on Friday.<br /><br />The directions came on a PIL filed by an NGO, Centre for Public Interest Litigation (CPIL), alleging irregularities in granting the prime 16,000 acre land to private players at a cheap rates as low as Rs 100 per acre. <br /><br />The NGO had sought an inquiry into the allegations and sought a direction for recalling and eviction of the land. It further said future allotment of the land should be done through competitive bidding.<br /><br />The bench had on April 4 directed CBI to file a status report on the matter.<br /><br />CBI submitted no action has been taken despite recommending transfer of Shrivastava.<br /><br />"There are other cases registered in which actions are being taken, required sanctions are being received and charge sheets are being filed," CBI counsel told the bench.<br /><br />CBI said the charge sheet has already been filed against some top officers of the KPT.<br /><br />"After completion of investigation, the charge sheet has been filed in a court of special judge in Ahmedabad against A Janardhan Rao, the then Chairman of KTP and others.<br /><br />"The sanction for prosecution in respect of B Tewari, Secretary of KPT, was declined by the Ministry. However, the competent authority has now communicated that they will accord sanction for his prosecution. The neccessary action will be taken accroodingly," the status report said.<br /><br />CBI told the court that the probe was at its final stage and is likey to complete in next three months. <br /><br /><br /><br /></p>