CBI asks clearance to prosecute former Coop Registrar

    New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today informed the Delhi High Court that it had sought permission of the Government to prosecute Joint Secretary in the Union Government for his alleged involvement in the Rs 4,000 crore (Rs 40 billion) Co-operative Group Housing Societies (CGHS) scam. The CBI has sought the permission of Central Vigilance Commission, a 'Designated Agency' authorised by the Government to receive written complaints for disclosure on any allegation of corruption or misuse of office and to recommend appropriate action. The CBI has sought the permission of CVC to file a preliminary inquiry (PI) against the official, who had served as Registrar of Cooperative Societies (RCS) of Delhi Government.

   The CBI told the Division Bench that it had established prima facie involvement of the Joint Secretary in the illegal revival of at least three of the four defunct societies. The CBI counsel Harish Gulati told the Division Bench of Justice Vijender Jain and Justice Rekha Sharma that cases had been registered against 95 such societies for their misconduct. The Court was also informed that efforts were being made to declare the former Registrar of Co-operative Societies Narayan Diwakar and certain other officials as Proclaimed Offenders (POs) since they had been dodging agency sleuths after cases had been registered in the scam. The case has been adjourned till February 13. On December 18, the CBI had filed an FIR against former Registrar of Cooperatives Societies N Diwakar and nine others in the CGHS scam in the national capital. An FIR was filed against them on the basis of complaints that these persons allegedly used forged documents to "revive" the defunct Gautam Cooperative Group Housing Society in South Delhi. They have been charged under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 419 (cheating by personating), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using forged documents as genuine) of IPC and certain provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act The CBI had carried out searches at six places in the capital and Gurgaon on December 24 in connection with the scam. The searches were carried out after sleuths of CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch filed four cases against Maruti Mahima CGHS, Delhi Census CGHS, Kandhari CGHS and Art Home CGHS including the then Registrar of Cooperative Societies Narayan Diwakar. CBI has so far registered 62 cases in CGHS scam and the agency is likely to register another 38 within the next fortnight.

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