PWD scam: Tripura HC reserves verdict on ex-minister on Dec 10

Agartala: The High Court of Tripura has reserved the verdict for December 10 in the case against former PWD minister and deputy opposition leader Badal Choudhury in the alleged PWD scam.

Speaking with reporters, senior advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharjee said that never in the past such big project works were done and hence the decision of the Cabinet to not provide more than 10% incentive is not possible. The specialist after a study found that to execute projects following this decision the work cannot be completed.

“The tenders were given as per the rate chart produced in front of the state government and thus no irregularities were made by the then government. We have urged the court for quashing of the FIR and criminal proceedings against Choudhury. The court will deliver the judgment next week after going through all facts and figures, Bhattacharjee said.

The Public Accounts Committee has already given a clean chit to the former minister so a fresh investigation over this by the Tripura police is no longer allowed as per the course of law.

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The Works Advisory Body and Supply Advisory Body had given the approval prior to the clearance of the tender and rate charts so the minister has no role in it. The minister is policymaker but the execution is done by the authorities of the concerned department, Purushottam Roy Barman told EastMojo.

Advocate General Arun Kanti Bhowmik in his submission stated that the submission of the defense cannot be accepted and the case should not be quashed against the former minister.

In reply to Bhowmik, senior advocate BR Bhattacharjee said the FIR against his client does not stand as it does not have any criminal offense against Choudhury and it should be quashed.

Meanwhile, Choudhury will be produced in front of the district and session court on Wednesday through video conference from Bishalgarh Central Jail.