Former ASCI project director charged in Rs 88 lakh fraud probe in Hyderabad | Hyderabad News

HYDERABAD: An administrative officer of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) has asked Hyderabad Central Crime Station (CCS) of the police, alleging that one of the former project directors (PD) and several private individuals had allegedly committed financial irregularities in a fraudulent manner. The institute allegedly suffered a loss of nearly Rs 88 lakh.
Following a complaint lodged by the Administrative Director of ASCI, a case was registered against six accused, including a former PD of the institute. The officer said that it was in August that the professor (who was on post-retirement duty) was dismissed from service due to alleged suspicious activities.
Later, during an internal investigation, suspicious transactions allegedly carried out by the fired PD while hiring suppliers came to light. “She conducted many training programs and projects. As such, it had the authority to appoint support services/providers as needed, taking into account criteria set by the institute. After the dismissal, it was noticed that some suppliers and consultants were suspicious,” an administrative official told police.
Then, when an internal investigation was ordered, committee members called suppliers for a Know Your Customer review. “Five suppliers have not shown up so far. Prima facie, it appears that their invoices and services were fake and they received bank payments in a fraudulent manner with the intention to obtain money illegally without providing any services to ASCI, in criminal conspiracy to present false experience and false curriculum vitae in collusion with the professor,” the complainant stated . The alleged suspicious transactions occurred between March 2021 and several months ago.
ASCI was established in 1956 as a joint initiative of the Government of India and industry to serve as a think tank in policymaking, besides building the capacity of practicing professionals in government management. CCS officials registered a first information report (FIR) on charges of criminal breach of trust, fraud and forgery.