Kolkata, Feb 2 (IANS) Two Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers arrested for alleged involvement in a multi-crore iron ore export scam were sent to police custody Thursday.
Debaditya Chakraborty, a former managing director of the West Bengal Essential Commodities Supply Corp (WBECSC), and R.N. Jamir, an ex-director general, would be in police custody till Feb 4, the chief metropolitan magistrate said.
Jamir is now retired while Chakraborty has been put on compulsory waiting.
The duo were arrested Wednesday for their alleged involvement in the over Rs.220 crore scam of 2004.
The WBECSC was assigned to ship iron ore to a Chinese firm in association with an Indian company, Bharat Minmet Corp Ltd (BMCL). The cargo was carried by Singapore-based Sea Quest Shipping Pvt Ltd (SQSPL).
The consignment was rejected because of inferior quality but the ship did not return, raising suspicions that the ore was sold somewhere between India and China.
The prosecution said both the accused acted fraudulently and helped both BMCL and SQSPL to gain over Rs.220 crore wrongly.
Defence counsel contended sought bail for the accused. The court rejected the plea.
