The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted comprehensive searches at 26 locations across 11 states and Union Territories on Sunday as part of its investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds in the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). According to the latest reports, the searches were carried out in Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. The operation was conducted in connection with four criminal cases registered over alleged financial irregularities in BRO projects in Ladakh. The CBI probe stems from Ministry of Defence complaints over alleged fake labour payments and financial irregularities in BRO projects in Ladakh.
The cases relate to the alleged deployment of fictitious casual labourers and the release of payments in their names under Project Vijayak and Project Yojak. As reported by the CBI, the FIRs were registered following complaints from the Ministry of Defence, which were based on findings of an internal inquiry conducted by a Technical Board of Officers of the BRO. The investigation covers allegations of misappropriation of government funds, cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy under the Indian Penal Code, along with charges of criminal misconduct and bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The CBI has named 10 officials — including officers of the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel, Major and engineers — as well as certain private individuals in the FIRs. During the searches, investigators recovered several documents and digital devices that are being examined as part of the probe. According to the agency, the investigation is ongoing and reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a comprehensive and time-bound probe into the alleged irregularities. The recovered evidence includes incriminating documents and digital evidence that will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
