The Central Bureau of Investigation had last month conducted a surprise check at the BIS office in Taramani after it received information that some some BIS officials had taken bribes to accord/renew licences to packaged drinking water units and also to abstain from going on periodical inspections.
Incriminating files and unaccounted cash were allegedly seized from the premises of two senior scientists who were later arrested along with a middleman, sources said.
“When laboratory reports of samples tested positive to harmful bacteria, BIS officials took bribes to either drop action or change the reports in favour of the company. There are at least 25 safety parameters that packaged drinking water has to qualify before sold to public for consumption. Most of the units simply violated this mandatory requirement,” an official said.
The CBI is coordinating with the vigilance wing of the BIS in New Delhi in the investigation.
Similar violations suspected
Similar violations were suspected in packaged drinking water units in other parts of the State, the sources said and added that an enquiry was on to ascertain the modus operandi of the erring companies and their nexus with officials who facilitated the irregularities.
