Raids by CBI in three cities regarding 1998 Aussie wheat import

New Delhi, Jul 8 (UNI) The CBI conducted raids at six places in Delhi and neighbouring Noida and Gurgaon in connection with the alleged iregularities in the 1998 import of wheat from Australia by the State Trading Corporation.

The raids, conducted at the residential and office premises of then STC CMD S M Dewan and agent involved H R Sardana, led to the recovery of vital documents indicating payment of commission in the 1998 deal by the Australian Wheat Board, the CBI said today.

The raids were conducted after concerned documents regarding commission payments were received from the Australian authorities, and the agency asked for reopening the case yesterday.

The CBI had closed the case in January 2004 for want of necessary documents from Australian authorities.

Two million tones of wheat was imported in 1998 by the STC from the AWB despite the country's stock position being comfortable. Bids of others were rejected on frivolous grounds and the contract for supply was given to the AWB at an exorbitant price.

UNI AN SYU AS2009