Lucknow: The UP economic offences wing arrested a former deputy director (construction) and former assistant accounts officer of the state agricultural produce market committee (mandi parishad), Banda, for misappropriation of over Rs 8 crore in construction of the Vishisht Mandi at Karvi in Chitrakoot district. The two absconding accused were arrested on Jul 14 EOW said on Tuesday.Vishisht Mandi construction project at Karvi was awarded in 2014 through tender. The accused conspired with officials of the executing agency, Glare infrastructure Ltd, Ghaziabad and facilitated illegal payments.Investigators said the officials approved inflated measurements of construction work, carried out improper valuation and authorised payments without mandatory physical verification, resulting in excess payments of more than Rs 8 crore.FIR was registered at Kotwali Nagar police station in Chitrakoot in 2019 under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust by a public servant) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC, along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The investigation was transferred to the EOW, UP, on state govt order issued on Jun 22, 2021.Documentary evidence, official records, witness statements and technical examination conducted during investigation established the prima facie involvement of both accused. Despite legal proceedings being initiated, they allegedly remained absconding.EOW said dedicated teams arrested them on Monday. The officials arrested have been identified as Ashok Kumar, former deputy director (construction), and Satish Kumar Yadav, former assistant accounts officer, of mandi parishad, Banda.
