Chargesheet against 14, but trial yet to start

Mumbai: The Mumbai police has arrested 27 persons in connection with the road scam, which includes engineers and road contractors. Out of the 27 accused arrested by the Mumbai Police, 14 people were chargesheeted in February. The case was registered in Bombay high court in 2016. A special team, headed by an assistant commissioner of police (ACP), was constituted to probe the case. Five of the main accused approached the Sessions court, seeking anticipatory bail, which was turned down. However, they were granted time and were directed to the Bombay high court. The HC is yet to decide and further dates are being given since the past three months, said officials. Manoj Kumar Sharma, deputy commissioner of police, zone 1, said, "The probe led to the arrest of 27 persons in the case for their respective roles. Further action depends on what view the court takes in the case.” Among those arrested for cheating in road repairs are ten third-party auditors, and BMC engineers and supervisors who colluded with contractors to make a quick buck. The accused were arrested on charges of cheating and forgery. BMC officials signed and cleared all road repair-related documents on behalf of the respective contractor companies in return for money.

Another police officer said, “We found several irregularities in road works. The work was not up to the mark however clearances were given to shoddy work.” According to the police, the concerned documents and papers pertaining to the contracts and materials used have been seized from the arrested accused.”