In a significant development in a 22-year-old corruption case, a special CBI court in Ranchi has framed charges against Satyendranath Tiwari, the current BJP MLA from Garhwa and former director of Kalawati Construction Private Limited, in the infamous Jharkhand bitumen scam. This ruling clears the path for a full trial in the long-pending matter.
The court invoked multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act to formalize the charges. It has directed the CBI to begin presenting evidence starting February 20. The case dates back to 2003-04 when irregularities surfaced in the purchase of bitumen by the Roads Construction Department.
CBI investigations revealed that Kalawati Construction submitted 114 invoices for bitumen procurement and supply for road works. Shockingly, 61 of these were entirely fabricated. Through these fake documents, the firm allegedly siphoned off around Rs 2.23 crore from government funds.
Tiwari, as the company’s director, stands accused of masterminding a criminal conspiracy to misuse public money for personal gain. Earlier, he had filed a discharge petition claiming innocence, but the court rejected it after thorough hearings, finding prima facie evidence strong enough to warrant prosecution.
On Wednesday, the judge emphasized that the available evidence points to a solid case against the accused, making a trial imperative. From February 20, witness testimonies and documentary proofs will be recorded. This verdict escalates legal troubles for the Garhwa legislator, spotlighting ongoing accountability battles in Jharkhand’s political corridors.
The bitumen scam had rocked the state administration years ago, exposing deep-rooted graft in infrastructure projects. As the trial unfolds, it could have ripple effects on Tiwari’s political standing and renew scrutiny on historical corruption cases.