The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing into the railway job-for-sale scam has registered two fresh preliminary inquiries against Railway Board Member Electrical Kulbhushan and IAS officer Rahul Bhandari, who was the personal secretary (PS) to former railway minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.
The agency has alleged that Kulbhushan, the senior most railway board member who was the top contender for the post of Chairman Railway Board (CRB) falling vacant on July 1, had misused his position to extend favours to a private construction company. Member Electrical is considered to be the most lucrative post in the railway board which has the power to influence railway contracts worth R 3,000 crore.
In the second inquiry filed against Bhandari, CBI has alleged that he influenced the transfers and posting in the ministry for illegal gratification.
Bhandari has already been quizzed during the probe in the R10 crore cash-for-post bribery case, in which Bansal’s nephew Vijay Singla has been arrested.
CBI sources said some instances during the surveillance of Singla and suspended railway Board member Mahesh Kumar indicate Bhandari’s alleged involvement in the transfers and postings in the ministry.
Bhandari, a 1997-batch Punjab-cadre IAS officer, was grilled about these conversations during his examination by the agency which is likely to file charge sheet in connection with the railway bribery scandal this month.
The agency is likely to question Kulbhushan, the 1974-batch railway officer, soon.
According to sources CBI is likely to register more preliminary enquiries in the case as evidences against other railway board members emerge.
The agency is also likely to question the current CRB Vinay Mittal again.
