The Central Bureau of Investigation on Friday registered a case against the former Finance Ministry Additional Secretary Jivtesh Singh Maini, his two sons and their spouses for allegedly receiving $1 million in bribe from Norwegian fertilizer giant Yara to facilitate a joint venture with public sector firm Krishak Bharati Cooperative Ltd. (Kribhco).
The agency had set up an inquiry into the allegations after The Hindu reported the case on January 17 last year. The probe was initiated on the basis of Yara’s statements and findings of Norwegian investigation and prosecution agency Økokrim alleging that the former Finance Ministry official and his son Gurpreetesh Singh Maini were prime suspects.
According to Norwegian prosecutors, Yara had allegedly transferred the amount to a bank account in Hong Kong belonging to Krystal Holdings & Investments Ltd. (British Virgin Islands), whose alleged beneficiaries were the spouses of the accused persons.
The CBI probe revealed that Dr. Maini, his two sons and their wives were allegedly part of the conspiracy.
