CBI files chargesheet against Vayalar Ravi’s son in Rajasthan ambulance scam

NEW DELHI/JAIPUR: Almost three years after filing a case in Rajasthan ambulance scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday filed a chargesheet against former Union minister Vayalar Ravi’s son Ravi Krishna and private company Ziqitza Health Care for alleged irregularities.

The agency has not named any of the politicians including Congress leaders Sachin Pilot, Ravi and former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot in its chargesheet.

Pilot and Gehlot, alongwith former finance minister P Chidambaram’s son Karti Chidambaram and former Union minister Vayalar Ravi’s son Ravi Krishna, were named by CBI in its FIR in August 2015.

Officials refused to divulge whether agency didn’t find any evidence against them or not but they claimed that investigations are still continuing.

“As of now, Ravi Krishna (Director of Ziqitza), CEO Sweta Mangal and another employee Amit Antony Alex - of Ziqitza have been named in the chargesheet,” said an official.

Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje had asked the centre in 2014 to order a CBI probe into the scam.

CBI had taken over Rajasthan Police's FIR, filed in June 2014 and re-registered a case in August 2015.

CBI had alleged that there were irregularities in the award of tender in favour of the firm - Ziqitza - by deliberately inserting technical specification.

The irregularities in the implementation of the project included excess bills claimed by the firm and paid to them and an alleged financial irregularities to the tune of Rs 2.56 crore in operating the ambulance service during the previous Congress rule in the state.

The Rajasthan police, which had also named officials of Ziqitza Healthcare, had filed the FIR on the basis of a probe into a complaint filed by former Jaipur Mayor Pankaj Joshi.

CID-CB of the state was investigating the case in which besides these the big Congress politicians, former state Health Minister A A Khan, Sweta Mangal, the then CEO of Ziquitza Healthcare, Shaffi Mather, former Economic Advisor to Kerala CM Oommen Chandy and the NRHM Director were also named.

CBI said it has named in its chargesheet on Monday Ravi Krishna, Sweta Mangal, Alex and Ziqitza.