The CBI anti-corruption unit in Kochi on Wednesday arrested two officers with the Food Corporation of India (FCI) depot at Meenangadi, Wayanad, in connection with a case of alleged diversion of foodgrain to the black market.
The arrested officers have been identified as Ramakrishnan, manager of the depot, and Gireesan P., an assistant grade-2 officer. The accused were summoned to the CBI office in Kochi for interrogation and arrested later.
As per the case, the accused entered into a criminal conspiracy among themselves and with unknown others in Wayanad and Kozhikode between April and June last year and misappropriated the FCI food stocks for pecuniary gain.
A First Information Report by the Central agency before the CBI special court in Kochi stated that the accused misappropriated 2,399 bags of food stock worth ₹38.79 lakh. Acting on a tip-off, a CBI team conducted a surprise inspection at the depot, which confirmed the shortage of food stock.
The accused have been charged under Section 120 (B), 420 and 409 IPC along with Section 13(2) and 13(1)(c) and (d) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
Three months ago, the CBI had raided Food Corporation of India depots in Kozhikode, Wayanad and Palakkad, besides the residential premises of the accused officers.
