CBI files charge sheet against Punjab govt officials in fraud case

Mohali (Punjab) [India], Dec 4 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against nine serving and retired officials of Punjab government in the Court of Special Judicial Magistrate, Mohali, in an alleged criminal conspiracy and fraud case.
The charge sheet has been filed under Sections 120B, 171(f), 192, 193, 218, 220, 341, 342, 420 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). The CBI had registered a case in the matter in May 2017.
It was alleged by the petitioner that he and his associates were not allowed to contest the elections of Directors of Primary Co-operative Agriculture Development Bank (PADB) Ltd. Dharmkot, When he approached the High Court of Punjab and Haryana, a false case was allegedly registered against him under Section 420, 272, 273 of IPC and Food Safety & Standards Act 2006.
CBI investigation revealed that the officials of Department of Co-operative Societies of Punjab government had allegedly conspired with local police officials and some private persons to rig the election process for the posts of Directors of Board of PADB held in February 2014 and the accused police officials did not allow the petitioner and other candidates to file the nomination papers.
It was further alleged that the officials of the Department of Co-operative Societies themselves deposited the nomination fees on behalf of selected few candidates and distorted the whole election process and declared them elected as unopposed. It was also found that when the petitioner approached the High Court against the said malpractices adopted in the election, an FIR was registered against him on alleged false documents with the connivance of Food Safety Official.
Five Punjab Police officials, one Food Safety Officer, three PADB officials along with six private persons have been named in the charge sheet. (ANI)