Two senior IAS officers in Lucknow – Alok Kumar and Aparna U, have been grilled by CBI in connection with the alleged irregularities in the investment of the provident fund of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL). According to sources, PF funds over 4,300 crore were invested in the scam hit DHFL, and other housing finance companies.
Kumar was interrogated for over eight hours on Saturday at the agency’s Lucknow office, followed by Aparna U, who was grilled for six hours.
Kumar, a 1988-batch officer, is currently posted as Principal Secretary UP Infrastructure and Industrial Development while Aparna, a 2001 batch IAS is Secretary in Irrigation and Water Resources department.
The alleged investments of over Rs 4,323 crore were made when Kumar was the chairman of UPPCL in 2017-19. The agency also found that 3,245 crore were invested with the clearance of Aparna U, who was Managing Director of UPPCL at the same time.
It is alleged that out of a total investment of Rs 4,122.70 crore in the DHFL, Rs 2,267.90 crore is still outstanding.
The DHFL is facing multiple probes after allegations that, out of the total bank loans of Rs 97,000 crore, the company, siphoned off Rs 31,000 crore through shell companies.
Pravin Kumar Gupta, former secretary of the UP State Power Sector Employees” Trust; and Sudhanshu Dwivedi, former director, finance, of the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL); are accused for criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery, and are currently in judicial custody.
