2 IRE GMs raided by CBI in uranium extraction filter scam

Kochi, Nov 21 (UNI) The CBI has unearthed a scam in the purchase of uranium extraction filters for Rs 50 lakh by six senior officials of the public sector Indian Rare Earths (IRE) Ltd., including two general managers, the investigating agency officials said.

The CBI, which conducted raids on the official and residential premises of the six IRE officials -- two general managers, three three deputy general managers and one manager -- at Kalmaserry here yestereday, had seized several ''incriminating documents'', the officials told UNI today.

The officials raided were identified as General Managers Madhavan Kutty and K R Venugopal, Deputy General Managers Francy Varghese, M G Rajan and M R Suryanarayanan and Audit Manager Rukmini Menon.

The CBI conducted the raids here and in the offices of the private supplier, Mecon Engineering in Bangalore, yesterday after registering a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The documents were being scrutinised and follow-up action will be initiated, the officials said.

However, no arrests had been made so far, they said.

The allged scam pertains to the purchase of 'ANF filters', used in the process of uranium extraction, during 2005-06.

UNI