Akill development scam: Former MD of Siemens Industry among others arrested by ED
On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested 4 persons in a case related to the “diversion and misutilisation of funds worth crores of rupees” disbursed for implementing the ‘Siemens Project‘ by the Andhra Pradesh government. The ‘Siemens Project’ aimed to provide youth with advanced software and technical skills.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Soumyadri Shekhar Bose a.k.a. Suman Bose, ex-MD of Siemens Industry Software India Pvt Ltd (SISW), Vikas Vinayak Khanvelkar (MD of Designtech Systems Pvt Ltd), Mukul Chandra Agrawal, ex-Financial Advisor, and authorized signatory of Skillar Enterprises India Pvt Ltd, and Suresh Goyal, a Chartered Accountant
The official said that all the accused were presented at a Special PMLA Court in Visakhapatnam which remanded them to seven days’ custodial remand.
The official said that the PMLA investigation was initiated based on an FIR registered by Andhra Pradesh CID regarding the swindling of government money to the extent of Rs.241 crore in a dubious manner.
The ED investigation revealed diversion and siphoning off of government funds given to Designtech Systems Pvt Ltd through Skillar Enterprises India Pvt Ltd, and thereafter, through a web of shell companies under the guise of supply of software, hardware, services without any genuine supplies.
“Investigation under the PMLA revealed that the purpose for such diversion of funds was to generate cash and thereby siphon off money from the system without utilizing the same for the Siemens Projects for which the government of Andhra Pradesh sanctioned funds. So far, the money trail of diversion of around Rs,70 crores has been established during the ED investigation,” the ED said.
According to reports, former finance secretary Sunita objected to releasing funds but senior government officials overruled her.
When the German headquarters of Siemens was contacted, it clarified that Bose had acted on his own volition, which resulted in his services being terminated.
[With Inputs from IANS]
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