Rs 4.85 cr fraud in Kerala Road Fund Board unearthed by PWD Vigilance
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The state government has launched a departmental investigation against an ex- Executive Engineer (EE) and a temporary employee of the Kerala Road Fund Board in Thiruvananthapuram on allegations of Rs 4.85 crore in financial fraud.
The official investigation is part of the process of instituting strict disciplinary action against former EE Jeeja Bhai and temporary worker Susmi Prabha U P after the PWD Internal Vigilance discovered grave financial violations in the KRFB's Project Management Unit (PMU) in Thiruvananthapuram.
Jeeja Bhai was suspended in February 2024 after the Project Director of KRFB issued a report citing grave misuse of the chequebook and cheque memo register, as well as abuse of official power to conduct financial fraud.
Later, PWD Internal Vigilance investigated KRFB-PMU, Thiruvananthapuram division and discovered major flaws, including financial irregularities. It was alleged that there were discrepancies between entries in bank statements and cash books, Onmanorama reported.
A vigilance investigation revealed that between 2021 and January 2024, Rs 4.85 crore was removed via cash cheques in the name of temporary employee Sushmi Prabha. The utilisation paperwork for this amount was not located. The officers who conducted the inspection voiced concern over the withdrawal of such large sums in the name of temporary employees, and a disparity of Rs 4 crore was discovered in the cash book and bank statement.
The Internal Vigilance team reported that an investigation should be conducted to determine how large cheques were cashed from the bank. A vigilance investigation into the financial irregularities and the registration of a criminal case against Jeeja Bhai and Susmi Prabha were also suggested, along with the recommendation that a department-level action be initiated against Jeeja Bhai and Susmi Prabha.
Based on these findings, a charge memo was issued to Jeeja Bhai. The cash checks were withdrawn in 2021 (Rs 7.23 lakh), 2022 (Rs 1.53 crore), 2023 (Rs 2.87 crore), and 2024 (Rs 37 lakh). The memo cited that the office's financial transactions register was improperly maintained.
The transactions were carried out without a formal order or proceeding. PWD stated in the order that Jeeja Bhai's explanation only explains staff strength and job stress and rules out the transactions of Rs 4.85 crore. She did not provide utilisation certificates for this money and was unable to justify the withdrawal of the amount stated on the bank statement.
The government stated in the ruling that Jeeja Bhai's statement was an attempt to conceal the truth, and it was determined to pursue legal action against financial fraud and illegal transactions at KRFB-PMU in Thiruvananthapuram. PWD (Buildings) Chief Engineer Beena L will lead the official investigation and deliver a report within 45 days.
