You have heard about Louis Berger, but what about the Japanese counterparts?

It is nearly 20 days since investigations into the Louis Berger bribery scam began, and there have been four arrests – two officials, a hawala dealer and a politician – but surprisingly Crime Branch (CB) is yet to question any officials of the Japanese agency JICA or officials representing the other companies that formed the consortium. The splendid job done so far is marred by the delay in investigating the Japanese connection in the case.

Herald investigations reveal that Louis Berger was part of a consortium that had three other companies – two of which were Japanese. The lead company was Nihon Suido Consultants Ltd, NJS consultants the other and the third was an Indian company Shah International.

Herald understands while CB has questioned all others involved in the bribery case, it has left out the Japanese connection that is Nihon Suido, NJS consultants and JICA itself.

Information reveals that Nihon Suido had submitted the Financial Proposal Submission Form as well as the technical proposal for the project. Hence, if Louis Berger, which was a part of the consortium, admits to having paid bribes then there is every possibility of Nihon Suido’s involvement – it being the lead company in the consortium. For reasons best known to the investigators, Nihon Suido has been left out of the probe so far.

Very surprisingly, there has been no cost escalation in the project even when the cost of all construction material has gone up manifold. The other question that arises out of this is whether JICA had overestimated the cost so that bribes could be managed?

Also, JICA was the company that wanted the State government to retain Wachasundar as the Project Director, the reason given being to “maintain continuity”.

It is pertinent to note that despite all this CB has ignored JICA and has so far only concentrated on Louis Berger and other officials from the State.

An official, who did not want to be named, however admitted that none of the Nihon Suido or JICA officials have been questioned so far.

On July 18, construction management firm Louis Berger admitted to having paid $976,138 in bribes to officials and a minister to get a water and sewage consultancy contract. 

Crime Branch began investigating the case on July 21, raiding the JICA office and questioning the Project Director A M Wachasundar.

The CB sleuths also visited Louis Berger offices in Chandigarh and Gurgaon, summoned two officials for questioning, who then spilled the beans in the bribery case.

Thereafter, CB arrested Wachasundar as well as former Vice President of Louis Berger Satyakam Mohanty and later former PWD minister Churchill Alemao, who was holding the portfolio in 2009 and 2010 the period when the bribes were allegedly paid.