SIT to probe entire chain in Beed case; ex-collector Pathak sent to judicial custody

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Beed police probing alleged irregularities, embezzlement and corruption in the revised compensation for land acquisition under the Dhule-Solapur National Highway project has widened its scope. On Friday, officials said the investigation would now cover the entire administrative chain, including subordinate officials, while also examining the properties of those under suspicion and their close relatives.

SIT has estimated the scam at Rs 310 crore, of which Rs 73.4 crore has already been disbursed.

Former Beed collector Avinash Pathak, arrested on May 7, was produced before a local court on Friday after his police custody ended. The court remanded him to judicial custody. SIT investigating officer and assistant superintendent of police Venkat Ram said the agency had requested judicial custody while reserving the option to seek further custodial interrogation if needed later in the probe.

Beed SP Navneet Kanwat said the investigation had expanded beyond Pathak and would scrutinise the role of every official involved in processing and movement of the files under scrutiny. “The probe will now cover the entire chain. Properties of all responsible staff, officers and their close relatives will be screened,” he told TOI.

Kanwat said investigators were examining crucial evidence and tracing the movement of files to establish accountability at every level of the administrative hierarchy. “There are important developments. We are analysing key evidence, tracking each file and assessing the role of every subordinate linked to Pathak,” he said.

Sources said officials were also trying to determine whether procedures were violated and whether there was any collusion among officials handling the files.