CBI court convicts 2 PWD officials of Lakshadweep

Kochi, Dec 19 (UNI) A special CBI court here has convicted two officials of the public works department (PWD), Lakshadweep, including Executive Engineer K Pookoya, for causing a loss of over Rs six lakh to the union territory administration.

The court convicted Pookoya, Asst. Egnineer M Ummar and a private person M K Mohammed Jaleel under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 and section 420 IPC.

Pookoya and Ummar were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and to pay a fine of Rs 2.25 lakh each.

Mohammed Jaleel is sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and to pay a fine of Rs 1.50 lakh.

According to the CBI, which investigated the case, Pookoya and Ummar, while working as executive engineer and asst. engineer in Kavaratti, entered into a criminal conspiracy with Mohammed Jaleel during October 1993 by purchasing salvaged timber at an exorbitant price of Rs 6,04,900.

The purchase was made in gross violation of the procedures of the department, the prosecution contended.

UNI ARC KK/DK1219