Leh, July 7 (IANS) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday said it has arrested three accused in connection with the misappropriation of funds from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in Kargil district of Ladakh.

A CBI press release said the organisation has arrested one Assistant Engineer (Civil) of BRO, Ladakh, and two labour supply agents from Kargil for indulging in misappropriation of BRO funds.

The Assistant Engineer arrested was Officer In-charge of the Khatse Batalic Sector under 81 RCC, BRO. The Assistant Engineer, in conspiracy with the two manpower supply agents, misappropriated BRO funds in the names of non-existent labourers, and the agents deposited the amounts into his account.

It may be recalled that the CBI registered four FIRs in connection with the misappropriation of funds in various BRO projects in Ladakh and conducted searches at 26 locations yesterday. In continuation, one more search has been conducted in Himachal Pradesh.

The accused are being produced before the Jurisdictional Court in Ladakh after completing all codal formalities.

It may be recalled that these cases were registered for allegations of criminal misconduct and bribery of public servants under the Prevention of Corruption Act and for offences of conspiracy, cheating, criminal breach of trust and forgery under the IPC, based on complaints lodged by the Ministry of Defence.

The investigations are in progress. The CBI is committed to conducting a comprehensive and expeditious investigation in this regard.

The BRO is a statutory body under the Ministry of Defence of the Government of India. It develops and maintains road networks in India’s border areas and in friendly neighbouring countries, including infrastructure operations in 19 states and three union territories, as well as in Afghanistan, Bhutan, Myanmar, Tajikistan, and Sri Lanka.

By 2022, the BRO had constructed over 55,000 km of roads, over 450 permanent bridges with a total length of over 44,000 metres, and 19 airfields in strategic locations. The BRO is also tasked with maintaining this infrastructure, including snow-clearing operations.

–IANS

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