Chargesheet against Maharashtra former postmaster general

MUMBAI - Almost 10 months after he was caught taking bribe, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Friday filed a chargesheet against former chief postmaster general of Maharashtra and Goa Manjit Singh Bali, an official said.

Chargesheets have also been filed against father-son duo Arun Dalmia and Harsh Dalmia under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

“In February, Bali, Arun and Harsh were caught demanding and accepting bribe of Rs.2 crore for issuing an NOC (no objection certificate) for development of a plot reserved for the postal department at Mira Road in Thane district,” the official said.

“They were arrested and remanded to police and judicial custody till March 12,” he added.

The CBI, after nabbing Bali, had described it as the biggest case involving a government official in 60 years. Around Rs.34 lakh, over $10,000, 3,050 pounds and 3,470 euros - packed in four suitcases - were recovered from his residence in south Mumbai.

A 1970 Indian Postal Service officer, holding the rank of additional secretary in the central government, Bali also owns two expensive cars, a bank locker in Gwalior and 45 bottles of imported liquor.

Bali also owns large properties in Faridkot, Panchkhula, Dwarka - New Delhi, Bhopal and Gurgaon.

He also has 22 accounts in different banks and public provident fund accounts with a total of more than Rs.26 lakh deposited in them.