Railway Equipment

Former Railway Officials Charged Over Rail Neer Scam

New Delhi: A special court has recognized some of the former officials of the Indian Railways and other indictments that allegedly caused the loss of the rupee. The sale of cheap packaged water instead of Rajdhani's Rail Neer and other ultra-fast trains to the railway to provide 1.95 billion rupees.

Special Judge Virender Kumar Goyal took note of the CBI's final report in the matter, slapping charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and corruption against the accused.

"Cognizance has been taken against the accused persons. Issue summons to the accused persons and notice to their sureties for August 17," the court said.

Those named in the CBI charge sheet include then Chief Commercial Managers MS Chalia and Sandeep Silas, CEO of R K Associates, director of the company Rajeev Mittal, Sharan Bihari Agarwal, besides private companies Satyam Caterers, Ambuj Hotels, PK Associates, Sunshine Caterers, Doon's Caterers, Vrindavan Food Products, Food World, and RD Sharma and Sons.

The agency claimed that the "accused had shown favour to these private firms in supply of cheap packaged drinking water (PDW) other than mandatory 'Rail Neer' on premium trains, including Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express".

It said that during searches at various places, including Delhi and Noida, at the residence and official premises of private caterers, a huge sum of cash of about Rs. 28.5 crore was recovered, along with large number of incriminating documents.

The final report said that from January 1, 2013 till December 31, 2014, the licensee caterers had not picked up Rail Neer as per the quota prescribed by IRCTC and supplied other cheap brands of PDW which were not allowed in Rajdhani and Shatabdi trains.

"It is alleged that they allegedly asked the Northern Railways to provide reimbursement because of the provision of Rail Neer.

Article from:

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/