Central Bureau of Investigation raids bureaucrat's home over NRHM fund swindling

Lucknow/Kanpur, Jan 19 (ANI): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today, raided the residence of a senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer Pradeep Shukla in Lucknow in connection with an alleged swindling of funds allocated to the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM).

The raid was on the lines of the 60 raids conducted by the CBI as part of their investigation in the case.

Speaking to mediapersons outside the Lucknow High Court, advocate for the petitioner in the health scam, Prince Lenin said that the CBI had been taking long strides in uncovering a list of top bureaucrats and officials who had swindled public funds.

"It is now becoming clear that after each raid of the CBI and prominent people are being interrogated, and today, the residence of a high ranking IAS officer, Pradeep Shukla, was raided and he was interrogated on the why the proper norms were not followed while tenders were distributed and millions of public money has been drained away," said Lenin.

Multiple raids were also carried out in Kanpur, including a local hospital and a medical store.

"The CBI raided this shop today in connection with the National Rural Health Mission scam. I think 20-22 officers were present, and they are conducting the investigations," said Alok Shukla, a resident.

Reportedly, the residences and offices of the suspects in the case were also searched in New Delhi and Haryana.

The CBI had earlier raided the residence of Babu Singh Kushwaha, the former family welfare minister of Uttar Pradesh for playing a pivotal role in misappropriating funds in the rural health scheme.

Kushwaha, sacked by Chief Minister Mayawati under charges of corruption, was given refuge by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on January 3, which sought to reap electoral benefits from the association.

After receiving flak from within its own party and allies, the BJP suspended Kushwaha's membership from the party. (ANI)