Breaking a two-decade impasse, Ranchi’s special CBI court has framed charges against Garhwa BJP MLA Satyendranath Tiwari in the high-profile Jharkhand bitumen scam. The former Kalawati Construction director’s involvement in the 2003-04 graft now heads to trial stage.
The court applied relevant IPC clauses and corruption statutes, instructing CBI to lead evidence from February 20. Massive irregularities in bitumen procurement for road projects had prompted the federal probe.
Key revelations: Out of 114 invoices, 61 were counterfeit, facilitating wrongful payment of Rs 2.23 crore. Tiwari faces accusations of plotting the entire fraudulent operation for undue profits.
His earlier discharge plea fell flat, with the judge citing robust initial evidence for proceeding. Trial will feature witness depositions and exhibits, marking a new chapter in this saga.
The verdict intensifies pressure on the politician, mirroring broader efforts to cleanse Jharkhand’s governance. It highlights how deep-seated scams in public procurement persist unless aggressively pursued.
As the case progresses, it may expose networks beyond Tiwari, impacting state politics. This judicial push exemplifies commitment to justice, no matter the delay or stature of the accused.