Indicating a serious security lapse, a fake identity card bearing the designation of a joint secretary of Home Ministry was recovered from a Textiles Ministry officer, who was arrested by CBI and huge wealth allegedly acquired by him unearthed.
CBI sources said the identity card was among the many cards which were recovered from the possession of Ashutosh Singh, a Deputy General Manager in the Textile Ministry.
They said a forensic examination of the card will reveal how it was forged, adding it is a serious security issue as a genuine looking I-card bearing designation of a Joint Secretary (an All India Service officer like IAS, IPS) will give unprecedented access and a serious security risk.
The agency has also recovered an identity card in his name bearing designation as official on Special Duty to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
CBI spokesperson said during searches the agency has recovered Rs 1.37 crore in cash from one of his flats in Mumbai, Rs 1.5 lakh cash from his car and FD investment to the tune of Rs nine crore. A sum of Rs 40.5 lakh (approx) in cash was also earlier recovered from his premises.
Later, the sources said documents showing his ownership of a bungalow and a flat in one of the costliest localities in Mumbai -- Versova, Andheri (West), five flats in Mira Road locality of Mumbai, one in Noida among others were found.
They said the questioning of Singh who was arrested while allegedly bribing a Delhi Police official has thrown up a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle which the official in his late forties had.
The sources claimed he allegedly used to maintain two high end Mercedes cars which were used to ferry high profile people and bureaucrats.
Singh has purportedly worked in the personal staff of
various political leaders during his service tenure which he allegedly "exploited" to liaison for various people like settling of private disputes, transfers, postings and other service related matters of bureaucrats, the sources said.
They said the agency has also gathered information that Singh was allegedly in contact with about five-six young girls besides there are three woman who have claimed to be his wife.
"CBI had arrested an Inspector of Delhi Police, posted at Police station Janakpuri, New Delhi and a Deputy GM of the Handicrafts and Handloom Export Corporation of India Ltd, Ministry of Textile (Govt of India) in an alleged bribery case of Rs three lakh," the spokesperson said.
She said the complainant had lodged his grievance with Delhi Police alleging that Singh had duped him of Rs one crore which he had taken from him for releasing of pending arrears/ wages from FCI.
The police inspector had allegedly demanded a bribe to settle the matter. CBI laid a trap and the Inspector (Investigation) of Delhi Police was caught while accepting the bribe, the spokesperson said.
She said identity/visiting cards in the designation of Joint Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, Lok Sabha Secretariat, OSD to MoS (Home Affairs), OSD to Chief Minister (Government of Uttarakhand) and Secretary (P&A), Prasar Bharti, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting have been recovered from the residence of Singh.
"During investigation, it has also come to light that he had earlier worked as OSD/ Additional PS to few then MoS including Labour, Home, Rural Development and Parliamentary Affairs," she said.
