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ACB- Anti corruption Bureau report to State Government- Bribery case MMRDA COO Mono Rail DLN Murthy

Published on September 14, 2021

Sources in the ACB- Anti Corruption Burea informed that they have sent a report for “Departmental Action ” to the State Government in the bribery case of Rs 20,00,000, CR 35/2021, Bribe demanded by the MMRDA COO Mono Rail Mr DR D L N Murthy- COO. ACB informed that the “Demand” of bribe made was established but the second part of “acceptance” was not executed but the offence u/s 7, Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 remains. Dr DLN Murthy, COO, Mono Rail, MMRDA is not arrested as the offence calls for conviction less than 7 years , Dr Murthy is cooperating with investigations and the amended CrPC sec 41 does not mandate compulsory arrest. Its upto the State Government to initiate Departmental action

The anti corruption Bureau further clarified that Charge Sheet will be filed in 90 days. After Charge Sheet is filed further State Government permission will be required for prosecution of Public Servant, u/s 19- Prevention of Corruption Act-1988. Previous sanction necessary for prosecution.

It say’s

(1) No court shall take cognizance of an offence punishable under sections 7, 10, 11, 13 and 15 alleged to have been committed by a public servant, except with the previous sanction,—

(a) in the case of a person who is employed in connection with the affairs of the Union and is not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the Central Government, of that Government;

(b) in the case of a person who is employed in connection with the affairs of a State and is not removable from his office save by or with the sanction of the State Government, of that Government;

We tried to get the response of Eknath Shinde- Minister of Urban Development , who heads MMRDA, Chief Secretary- Maharashtra- Mr Sitaram Kunte, Principal Urban Secretary,UD-1 Mr Bhushan Gagrani and MMRDA commissioner Mr SVR Srinivas for their response, its awaited. CM Uddhav Thackeray’s office emailed response that the matter has been forwarded to Urban Secretary-1 Mr Bhushan Gagrani for further action.

Meanwhile the ICGS- Investor and Consumer Guidance Society, demanded the immediate suspension of COO- Mono Rail – MMRDA DR DLN Murthy ,pending inquiry. Their contention was that as Dr DLN Murthy was still the COO of MMRDA Mono Rail project he could influence the complainant and course of investigation.

They further added “Press note issued by ACP Alka Deshmukh on 16/8/21 the ACB anti- corruption Bureau of Maharashtra Police filed an FIR On 16/8/21 the ACB- Maharashtra Police specifically mentioned in its press release that a bribe of Rs 20,00,000 was demanded by the COO of the Mumbai Mono-rail Division of MMRDA.” They have requested action from Minister Mr Eknath Shinde on COO DR Murthy. The case registered by ACB- Maharashtra CR 35/2021, goes on to say, “on the investigations done on 2/7/21 it is established that a bribe amount of Rs 20,00,000- has been demanded by the COO Mr DR D L N Murthy- COO- Mumbai Monorail .”

ICGS maintained that, its an established fact and he should be suspended. Furthermore the Central Govt and the State Govt has stated a zero tolerance to corruption in Public places.

The ICGS will still hold a Gandhian protest outside the Commissioner-MMRDA office on 17/9/21 to seek the suspension of COO- Mono Rail – MMRDA based on ACB report to the State Government

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ACB- Anti corruption Bureau report to State Government- Bribery case MMRDA COO Mono Rail DLN Murthy

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ACB- Anti corruption Bureau report to State Government- Bribery case MMRDA COO Mono Rail DLN Murthy