Sikkim Vigilance Police arrested two Engineers and one contractor

Gangtok: As per the press release from the Director Vigilance. A criminal case under sections falsification of accounts, criminal conspiracy and criminal misconduct under prevention of Corruption Act 1988 had been registered against Shri Kunzang Jigdel, the then Assistant Engineer Roads& Bridges Deptt, Mangan, presently posted as AE/Health & Family Welfare Department, Gangtok, Shri Bikram Tiwari, the then JE, Roads and Bridges deptt, Mangan, presently posted as JE/HRDD Gangtok and Shri Nedup Lachungpa, Govt Class 1-A Contractor, r/o Lachung, North Sikkim on the allegation of misappropriation of funds relating to the construction of protective wall, drainage , widening and carpeting work of Bitchu Road 1st to 3rd Km under Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) at Lachung.

Investigation has revealed that that the work of construction of protective wall, drainage, widening and carpeting of Bitchu Road at Lachung under Tribal Sub-Plan was awarded to Shri Nedup Lachungpa, Contractor at total cost of Rs 2.30 crores Vigilance department officials along with an independent team of Engineers were tasked to evaluate the work. During inspection it was revealed that excess payment of Rs 45.35 lakhs has been made against the work executed to the contractor Nedup Lachungpa by criminal conspiracy between concerned engineers of the work whose names are mentioned above.

It has been found that excess payment made was due to false entries made in the Measurement Book of work by Shri Bikram Tiwari JE and Shri Kunzang Jigdel, AE and a corresponding undue gain to contractor.

Vigilance department after gathering sufficient evidence against Shri Bikram Tiwari, JE and Shri Kunzang Jigdel, AE has assested them on 24th of June 2016 for further interrogation and a Police remand for Six days has been taken from Hon’ble Court.

Vigilance deptt had also sent a team to take into custody Shri Nedup Lachungpa, Govt Contractor Class -1 A. However it was found that he was very sick and he is required to undergo dialysis 3 times a week as he is suffering from Kidney failure. Therefore, necessary action as per law will be taken after his medical condition improves.

Vigilance deptt appeals to Senior Supervisory Officers of Roads & Bridges department to strictly monitor and closely supervise all ongoing road construction, widening and maintenance projects and ensure that all works are executed as per specifications.