New Delhi/UNI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted searches over 50 locations across Punjab, Haryana and Delhi in a massive operation against an alleged nexus of channelized corruption in FCI and others, the Central probe agency statement said on Wednesday.

The CBI recovered Rs 80 lakh in the searches.

The DGM (Quality Control/Personnel), RO, Chandigarh and a proprietor of Kharar (Punjab) were arrested in an alleged bribery case, the statement stated.

Both the accused were produced in the Court of Special Judge, CBI Cases, Chandigarh and were remanded for five days Police Custody.

A massive exercise was conducted under the name ‘Operation Kanak’ to gather actionable inputs and identify the accused.

“The arrest of DGM and the private person is the part of ‘Operation Kanak’, which has been going on for the last six months to identify the corrupt practices of FCI officials. Earlier, a case was registered against at least 74 FCI officials, including 34 serving, three retired from FCI, 17 private persons and other entities etc. It was alleged that huge amount of bribe was paid to FCI officials for extending favours to the private nexus operators,” a CBI spokesperson was quoted as saying by Indian Express.

A case was registered against 74 accused including serving 34 and retired officials 3 of FCI, private persons 17 and other entities. 

It was alleged that a huge amount of bribe was paid to FCI officials for extending favours to the private nexus operators.

Allegedly, private rice millers and grain merchants were paying bribes to FCI officials for getting favours in accommodating procurement of low quality food grains, malpractices in day-to-day operations in unloading of food grains, managing enquiries against various malpractices.

It was also alleged that the officials in conspiracy with rice millers cover up the shortages in stocks and accept low quality food grains which were transported to other parts of the country.

The rice millers in turn allegedly pay a huge amount of bribe to the officials of FCI as part of channelized corruption, the statement stated.