The Special Court for CBI Cases has reserved its orders on a petition filed by an advocate against chairman of the Godavari Valley Development Authority Umesh Kumar. Mr Annabatuni Pavan Kumar filed a petition in 2011, accusing Mr Umesh Kumar of graft and irregularities in the purchases during his tenure as the additional director-general (provisions and logistics). The petitioner requested the court to take the charges into cognisance and direct the CBI to investigate the scam. The CBI court heard the petition on Tuesday.
Mr Rajendra Prasad, counsel for the petitioner, alleged: “Umesh Kumar not only caused the exchequer a loss of about Rs 24 crore, but also purchased low-quality items.” The counsel further stated that Mr Umesh Kumar had acquired properties worth Rs 7 crore in the name of his family as well as through benami deals. The petitioner claimed that Mr Umesh Kumar, who was appointed ACB DG in the first week of September 2010, had violated the rules by sanctioning the purchase of one lakh pair of shoes from a Noida-based firm on a nomination basis at the rate of Rs 750 per pair, whereas the DGS rate was Rs 300 per pair. He alleged that Mr Umesh Kumar had ordered the purchase of bulletproof jackets and riot gear made of sub-standard material. The CBI Special Court has reserved its orders for June 14.