MP EOW Investigates Alleged ₹10.99 Crore Procurement Irregularities
The Economic Offences Wing of Madhya Pradesh is investigating an alleged procurement fraud worth ₹10.99 crore involving the Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Department. The FIR claims that four firms were shown as separate bidders in a GeM tender, despite allegedly being controlled by the same individual. The investigation also concerns the alleged supply of old and substandard computers and UPS equipment to the government at prices higher than their actual value.
The case relates to the department’s procurement of computers, printers and UPS systems during 2024. According to the FIR, complaints were received regarding irregularities in the purchasing process, with the total value of the procurement estimated at around ₹10.99 crore. Attempts to obtain a response from the Social Justice Department were unsuccessful.
Investigators allege that the four companies were used to give the appearance of competition during the tender process. The FIR names Randhir Kumar Patel, Hemlata Patel, Ashok Kumar Singh and Devendra Singh as the respective proprietors of the firms. The individuals named in the case have not yet responded to the allegations.
According to the FIR, the four companies were allegedly controlled by Randhir Kumar Patel and operated from the same location. Investigators have alleged that the firms were deliberately presented as separate competitors and that documents were allegedly manipulated to create the appearance of a genuine bidding process.
The FIR further alleges that equipment that was old or of inferior quality was supplied to the department while being presented as new. It also claims that the government was charged higher prices for the equipment, resulting in a significant financial loss to the public exchequer.
A major part of the investigation is focused on the alleged connection between the four firms. The EOW examined GST records, documents related to GeM bids, banking details and manufacturer authorisation documents as part of its inquiry. According to the FIR, a mobile number listed in the GST records of one company and an email address associated with another company were allegedly linked to the same organisation.
The agency also obtained a certified Customer Application Form from Reliance Jio relating to the mobile number under investigation. The FIR states that the document allegedly established a connection between the number and Randhir Kumar Patel.
Investigators have alleged that the use of the same address, mobile number and email domain pointed towards the four firms being connected to a common controller. The FIR claims that the companies were established and operated in a manner intended to divert or misappropriate government funds and that the firms were allegedly under the direct control of one person.
The EOW has also studied the participation of the four firms in various GeM tenders. According to the FIR, the companies allegedly qualified at different times in the same tenders and obtained contracts in favour of one another. Investigators also reported finding very similar patterns in the prices quoted by the four firms.
The allegations are currently under investigation by the Madhya Pradesh Economic Offences Wing, and the claims made in the FIR have not yet been established as proven facts.