Indicating a serious security lapse, a fake identity card bearing the designation of a joint secretary of Home Ministry was recovered from a Textiles Ministry officer, who was arrested by CBI. The CBI has also discovered unaccounted wealth allegedly acquired by him.
CBI sources said the identity card was among the many cards which were recovered from the possession of Ashutosh Singh, a deputy general manager in the Textile Ministry.
They said a forensic examination of the card will reveal how it was forged, adding it is a serious security issue as a genuine looking I-card bearing designation of a Joint Secretary (an All India Service officer like IAS, IPS) will give unprecedented access and a serious security risk.
The agency has also recovered an identity card in his name bearing designation as official on Special Duty to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat.
CBI spokesperson said during searches the agency has recovered Rs 1.37 crore in cash from one of his flats in Mumbai, Rs 1.5 lakh cash from his car and FD investment to the tune of Rs nine crore. A sum of Rs 40.5 lakh in cash was also earlier recovered from his premises.
Later, the sources said documents showing his ownership of a bungalow and a flat in one of the costliest localities of Mumbai, Versova, five flats in Mira Road, and one in Noida among others were found.
They said the questioning of Singh, who was arrested while allegedly bribing a Delhi Police official, has thrown up a glimpse of the lavish lifestyle which the official in his late forties had.
The sources claimed he allegedly used to maintain two high-end Mercedes cars, which were used to ferry high-profile people and bureaucrats. —PTI
