The first accused in the Vigilance case registered in connection with the flaws in the construction of the Palarivattom flyover is the “axis of all conspiracy,” according to a statement filed by the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) in the High Court.
Opposing the bail plea of Sumeet Goyal, first accused and Managing Director, of RDS Project Ltd, a contracting firm entrusted with the construction of the flyover, the VACB said he had conspired with M.T. Thankachan, former AGM, RDBCK; Benny Paul, Joint General Manager of KITCO; and T.O. Sooraj, former PWD Secretary; had caused loss to the exchequer by not properly utilising the allotted money for the construction, diverting it for their pecuniary advantage, which led to the poor condition of the flyover.
The statement said that as he presently did a series of constructions in the State, he was not willing to disclose the channel through which he handed over bribe to public servants, fearing trouble from political figures. During interrogation, he had not disclosed their identities and roles. If he was granted bail, he would try to hinder the investigation to save the politically influential accused.
Less concrete strength
The VACB further said that IIT experts had pointed out serious defects in the construction of the bridge. The testing of samples of concrete had proved that it had less concrete strength than expected. Of the 30 samples collected, only eight crossed the expected strength. The samples were tested at the Kerala Highway Research Institute, Thiruvananthapuram. Therefore, the claim of the petitioner that there were no defects in the construction was false.
No proof yet
The VACB also refuted the contention that the government had asked the contractor to complete the project within 18 months, though the period stipulated in the contract was 24 months. The first accused had alleged that this government directive had changed the fundamental nature of the contract.
The VACB submitted that no document was found in the offices of RBDCK or KITCO that directed the petitioner to complete the work in 18 months. If the term of contract was changed, another agreement would have been signed between RBDCK and the petitioner. No such agreement was found so far.
It said the petitioner had jeopardised the lives of innocent people. Many agitations were on demanding that corruption in the flyover construction be unearthed. If he was granted bail it would send a wrong signal to society.