The so-called torch bearers of Ethical Practises and Corporate Culture and who promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) have been booked by the Pune Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), last week for allegedly paying up around 4.5 crores to get Environmental Clearances for their commercial projects. Senior officer of Cognizant Technology Solutions India Pvt Ltd and Larsen and Tubro (L&T) have been mentioned in the complaint filed on May 8, 2024, along with several government officers and private persons. Complainant is a 73 year old environment activist, who also happens to be a former cop, who approached the court of law, after the ACB cops sat on his complaint doing nothing. Now, after the courts intervention, a DySP level cop is investing this case under the supervision of SP Amol Tambe.
Whistleblower’s Fight
The complainant alleges that Srimanikandan Ramamurthy, who was the Deputy Director at Cognizant, along with senior officers at Larsen & Tubro and government officers got the environment clearances and other permissions in an unethical manner. The complainant also claims that bribes to the tune of around 4.5 crores (7,70,000 dollars) exchanged hands during this process.
Current Investigation Status
Delhi resident Prit Pal Singh (73yrs) is the complainant who has been actively taking up environment issues, who has also been a cop in the past. He first filed a complaint with the Pune ACB in March 2024, but soon after approached the courts as he found zero movement on his complaint. After Singh approached the court, on 19 April, the court took cognizance of this serious issue and summoned the officials. Post which the court issued directions to the Pune ACB to register an offence under section 156 (3). Taking this ahead, the cops registered the case and are investing it by a DySP level officer.
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