Patel complained to Lokpal; CBI probe found public funds wasted
Daman and Diu’s Lok Sabha MP, Umeshbhai Babubhai Patel, has approached the Supreme Court seeking a Special Investigating Team (SIT) probe into alleged financial irregularities in the renovation of the Daman Secretariat building. The MP requested that the apex court monitor the investigation and direct the Centre to register an FIR regarding the matter.
The petition claims that officials of the Union Territory administration mismanaged public funds during the renovation, demolition, and restoration of the Secretariat. It states that a tender for renovation was issued in October 2020 at an estimated cost of Rs 23.34 crore, followed by a September 2022 tender for demolishing the building’s front side for around Rs 3.80 lakh. In 2023, another tender was floated for restoration at Rs 12.58 crore.
Patel had previously filed a complaint with the Lokpal of India against UT Administrator Praful Khoda Patel, Finance Secretary Gaurav Singh Rajawat, and Collector Saurabh Mishra for misusing public money. While the Lokpal directed the CBI to conduct a preliminary inquiry, it later dropped action against the officials but acknowledged that the public exchequer suffered financial loss.
The plea emphasizes that the three tenders issued between 2020 and 2023 led to no tangible improvement, as the building was restored to its original state, resulting in public money being wasted. It argued that such misuse violates public accountability and good governance principles. The central government, UT administration, and CBI have been made parties to the case.
