Polygraph test by CBI soon on suspended Noida engineer

The CBI may conduct a “lie-detector” test on suspended chief engineer (Noida, Greater NOIDA and Yamuna Expressway authority) Yadav Singh in connection with its ongoing probe into a corruption case against him.

Sources in the agency alleged that Mr Singh has not been forthcoming about the details connected to the case and the polygraph test may help establish the truth. “Singh remained evasive during examination and could not explain some new evidence presented before him by the agency sleuths,” sources said. Sources clarified that the agency will first need to seek his consent as legal provisions entail that such a test cannot be conducted without his permission. The CBI had on February 3 arrested Mr Singh in connection with its ongoing probe into a corruption case against him.

He was arrested after detailed questioning regarding his business links and beneficiaries who were allegedly involved in the case. Mr Singh, who is in the custody of the investigative agency, has already been grilled on various aspects of the case, projects handled by him and was confronted with related documents, they added.

The agency had on August 4, 2015 registered two cases against Mr Singh and his family members for alleged corruption and amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of his income. The first case was registered under criminal conspiracy and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act against him. The second case relates to allegations of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

As part of the corruption case against Yadav, several top builders and politicians of the area have come under CBI scanner following inputs about their regular interaction with the arrested chief engineer. Sources said the agency is also scrutinising clearances given by Singh during his tenure and alterations in the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) of the buildings. The accused allegedly entered into criminal conspiracy with unknown private persons firms and awarded various contracts without following the laid down procedures and thereby caused undue pecuniary gain to the tune of crores of rupees to private firms and to himself, sources said.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had ordered a CBI probe on the petition of an activist (wife of suspended UP Police IG Amitabh Thakur), alleging Singh had enjoyed plum postings under the regimes of Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati and incumbent Akhilesh Yadav, and the state government was not acting against him.