Book scam catches up with academician, CBI also names distributor
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 20:
Close on the heels of the CBI filing charge sheets against a number of big guns including a former Chief Minister and former top officials of the FCS in the 1991-92 rice scandal, the Central Bureau of Investigation has also filed charge sheets against former VC of the Central Agriculture University, Dr Mithilesh Prasad Singh and one Rajesh Mishra, proprietor of M/S Best Book Seller and Distributor, Bihar in a CAU Book scam.
Disclosing this a highly placed source informed The Sangai Express that the then VC of CAU, Dr Mithilesh Prasad Singh of Maharashtra had misappropriated a large sum of money amounting to about Rs 1 crore in purchasing books for the library of CAU during his tenure.
The books were bought from M/S Best Book Seller and Distributor, Bihar and the proprietor of the firm, Rajesh Mishra has also been named by the CBI in the charge sheet.
The charge sheet listing the name of the two persons has been filed before the Special Court (Prevention of Corruption Act) by an Inspector of CBI, Special Branch.
After perusing the matter, the Special Court headed by Justice M Binoykumar today took cognizance against the accused Singh and Mishra.
In its order the Court issued warrant of arrest against the two and asked them to appear before the Court on February 17.Charge sheet dossiers of the CBI said that the case was registered against Dr MP Singh and others on Conversion PEI (A) 99 SIL which was registered as per the orders of December 9, 1998 of the Gauhati High Court, Imphal bench in Civil Rule number 1056/98 in the matter of CAU Employees Association versus Dr MP Singh and others.
The FIR in brief, alleged conspiracy between Dr MP Singh and others pursuant to which a huge a number of books/periodicals and journals were purchased for the CAU library by the VC (Dr MP Singh) during the period 1995-96 to 1997-98 much in excess of the budget allocation.
The procurement of the books breached the rules and regulations of the university thereby causing undue pecuniary loss to the Central Agriculture University and undue pecuniary benefits for the accused (Dr MP Singh) and others in league with the VC.
It was alleged that in respect of 124 books the published price was erased/tampered and books were bought even for the college which had not started functioning, said the charge sheet.
Dr MP Singh was sent to CAU as its Vice Chancellor on deputation from the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttar Pradesh.