ACB files case against IPS officer N. Sanjay in Andhra Pradesh

ACB files case against IPS officer N. Sanjay in Andhra Pradesh. The official is accused of manipulating the tender processes for awarding contract for development and maintenance of AGNI-NOC portal, and conducting awareness meetings for SC/STs. It is alleged that the total value of properties stolen, or involved in the case is estimated at ₹1,75,86,600.

Andhra Pradesh’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Vijayawada has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against IPS officer N. Sanjay, formerly Director General, A.P. State Disaster Response & Fire Services, and Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Crime Investigation Department (CID), for his alleged involvement in manipulating the tender process for awarding contract work for development and maintenance of AGNI-NOC (Automated Governance & NOC integration) web portal, mobile application and supply of hardware.

Along with Mr. Sanjay, the ACB has also named M/s Sauthrika Technologies & Infra Private Limited, Vijayawada, and M/s Kritvyap Technologies Private Limited, Hyderabad, and others as co-accused in the case.

The ACB has said “the total value of properties stolen, or involved in the case is estimated at ₹1,75,86,600 approximately.”

The case is filed under Section 13(1)(a) r/w 13(2) and Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act-1988 (as amended in 2018) and under Sections 409, 420,477A r/w 120B of the Indian Penal Code-1860.

The FIR says that “Mr. Sanjay manipulated the tender processes for awarding the contract work of AGNI-NOC to M/s Sauthrika Technologies & Infra Private Limited in violation of the procedures in vogue, and dishonestly and fraudulently facilitated payment of ₹59,93,000 to the firm on February 22, 2023, within one week of entering into an agreement on February 15, 2023, although there was not much progress in the development of AGNI-NOC portal.”

The ACB further alleges that “Mr. Sanjay purchased 10 laptops from M/s Sauthrika Technologies & Infra Private Limited at an exorbitant price of ₹17,89,784 without calling for tenders through e-procurement, which he was supposed to do, besides not obtaining any competitive quotations.”

The ACB also alleges that “Mr. Sanjay, while working as ADGP of CID in 2023, connived with others and manipulated the tender processes for awarding the contract of conducting awareness meetings and workshops for SC/STs on the SC/ST POA Act to M/s Kritvyap Technologies Private Limited, which was non-existent and not found at the given address at Flat No. 601, Lalithanjali Apartment, Dwarakapuri Colony, Hyderabad.”