Central Bureau of Investigation sleuths on Thursday raided the residence of senior Indian Administrative Service officer, Pradeep Shukla, in connection with the Rs 8,000 crore National Rural Health Mission scam in Uttar Pradesh.

Shukla, who had earlier held the position of principal secretary in the state health and family welfare department, is posted as a member in the Board of Revenue.

The raids were part of the agency’s crackdown at about 40 places across UP and New Delhi that followed the registration of fresh cases against some more suspects in the scam.

It also led to the murder of three chief medical officers of Lucknow. Another key accused in the case is the state's former family welfare minister Babu Singh Kushwaha, who was in the spotlight for being ushered into Bharatiya Janata Party after being expelled from the BSP by chief minister Mayawati.

Special CBI teams reached Lucknow on Thursday morning and fanned out in different directions, including the residence and commercial establishments owned by a local businessman who was close to Shukla.

Money distribution
Shukla, as National Rural Health Mission director, was responsible for distribution of money and awarding contracts to various firms to supply medicines under the scheme.

CBI unearthed some fake companies that were floated by a few bureaucrats in collaboration with local businessmen to supply medicines and equipment.

Shukla is suspected to be one of the beneficiaries of the illegal deals. His wife is also an IAS officer.
The couple has held key positions, including that of Lucknow district magistrate. Shukla was also a topper of the 1980 IAS batch.