In a landmark ruling, the Special Judge for CBI Cases in Ranchi sentenced five individuals, including Md. Illiyas Hussain, the former Minister of the Road Construction Department, Government of Bihar, to three years of rigorous imprisonment on Saturday.
Each convict, including Hussain, Md. Shahabuddin Baig, Ashok Agrawal, Pawan Kumar Agrawal, and Vijay Kumar Sinha, have also been fined Rs 32 lakh in connection with the infamous Bitumen Scam Case.
The case traces its origins to 1996, when allegations surfaced that bulk bitumen, intended for road construction in Hazaribagh, was misappropriated. The CBI took over the investigation in 1997 following a directive from the Patna High Court. The agency filed a chargesheet in 2001, accusing Hussain and his accomplices of entering into a criminal conspiracy to siphon off public funds. The scam involved the fraudulent transportation of bitumen from Haldia to Hazaribagh via Barauni, with the material allegedly being sold in Kolkata’s open market instead of being used for its intended purpose.
According to the CBI, the accused falsified transportation claims, causing a wrongful loss of Rs 27.6 lakh to the Bihar government while pocketing the proceeds. The charges included criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act. After a prolonged trial, the court found the evidence conclusive, delivering its verdict today.
“This sentencing underscores the CBI’s commitment to rooting out corruption at all levels,” a CBI spokesperson said. The case, which spanned nearly three decades, highlights systemic issues in public procurement and oversight, drawing attention to the need for stricter accountability measures.
The convicted individuals now face jail time and substantial fines, sending a strong message to public officials involved in corrupt practices. Legal experts suggest the ruling could set a precedent for similar cases pending across the country.
