CBI probe okayed into Jharkhand police funds scam

RANCHI - The central government has given its consent for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into a Services Secret (SS) funds scam in which former senior police officials are under the scanner for alleged withdrawal of large sums of money in 2006 and 2008, government sources said Saturday.

“The central home ministry has given its consent for a CBI probe in the SS funds scam in which former Director General of Police (DGP) V.D. Ram and other top ranking police officials are under the scanner. The file has been sent to Chief Minister Arjun Munda for final approval after which a CBI probe notification will be issued,” a government source told IANS.

The SS funds scam hit the headlines in 2008 and the issue was raised in the state assembly.

The SS funds scam is related to withdrawal of Rs.5.60 crore on March 16, 2006 and Rs.2.50 crore on March 7, 2008. Two police officers - former DGP V.D. Ram and former Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) of special branch Rajiv Kumar - are under the scanner.

While Ram is currently director general of Home Guards, Rajiv Kumar is on central deputation.

After the previous governments failed to take action in the scam, a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Jharkhand High Court. The court disposed off the PIL three months ago after the state government filed an affidavit expressing no objection to a CBI probe.

According to official sources, the state government sent a request letter to the central home ministry two months ago for a CBI probe.

The union home ministry sent a letter to the state home ministry indicating its approval for a probe by the CBI.

Sources in the government say Munda may give his approval to the investigation by next week.

Even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) had raised the SS funds scam and recommended a probe into it.