Team Herald
PANJIM: The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Vigilance Department has registered a case against former Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Swayandipta Pal Chaudhuri for allegedly misappropriating funds to the tune of Rs 82.87 lakh.
According to ACB sources, the case was registered on July 13, 2024, based on a complaint filed by the then North Goa District Collector Mamu Hage.
The case against Chaudhuri was registered by the Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of Vigilance Department under Sections 420, 465, 468 and 471 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and under the relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
During audit of accounts, it was noticed that Chaudhuri, while being CEO of IPSCDL, indulged in illegal expenditure.
“He (Chaudhuri) spent money using credit cards, withdrew money from IPSCDL bank account without having permission from higher authorities during the period from 2018 to 2020. He also withdrew more than his monthly salary and also misused internet facilities,” sources said.
The ACB sources said the MD & CEO withdrew excess salary amount (to the tune of Rs 54 lakh) by forging and manipulating the Board meeting minutes, irregular expenditure through credit card pertaining to Smart city (27.50 lakh), irregularities expenses from petty cash account, etc, which was noted and placed on record for reference to vigilance department.
The case is being investigated by PI Mangesh Volvoikar under the supervision of DySP Rajan Nigale and SP Nelson Albuquerque.