TWO YEARS RIGOROUS IMPRISONMENT TO THEN MEMBER ENGINEERING OF RAILWAY BOARD AND FOUR OTHER OFFICIALS

New Delhi :The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai has convicted S/Shri V.K.Agnihotri, then Member Engineering, Railway Board; N.Kirthivasan, then General Manager; P.Rajamoni, then Chief Track Engineer; S.Sethuraman, then Additional General Manager and S.Ramasubramanian, then Chief Signals & Telecommunication Engineer, all working in Southern Railway and sentenced them to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with total fine of Rs.Two lakh.
CBI had registered a case against S/Shri V.K.Agnihotri, ME; N.Kirthivasan, GM; P.Rajamoni, CTE; R.S.Narayanan, FA & CAO; S.Sethuraman, Addl.GM; S.Ramasubramanian CSTE, all working in Southern Railway and S.Palani, a Civil Engineering Contractor (Private person). It was alleged that during the year 1995, the accused Railway officials recommended & sanctioned machinery advance of Rs.26,64,450/- to Shri S.Palani, Contractor for supply of hand broken ballast in violation of tender conditions. The accused also recommended & sanctioned machinery advances of Rs.10,57,218, Rs.9,16,938/- and Rs.12,28,480/- for three other contracts to Shri Palani and placed orders for supply of ballast in 11 reaches requiring very huge quantities. The machinery was not purchased by Shri Palani. Hence, all the contracts were terminated due to the poor performance and the terminated contracts were awarded to various other contractors. An alleged loss of Rs,2,29,84,432/-(approx) being additional expenditure incurred towards execution of terminated contracts, apart from the advances made to Shri Palani was caused to Railways During trial, Shri Narayanan & Shri Palani expired and charges against them were abated. The Trial Court found the accused persons guilty and convicted them.