AGARTALA, July 26 - Former PWD minister and senior CPI (M) leader Badal Chowdhury has evaded the inquiry officer of the Vigilance Organisation investigating a case related to irregularities and misappropriation of funds.
Chowdhury, who was supposed to appear before the inquiry officer on Thursday, has asked for time till September, citing the ongoing campaigning for Panchayat elections and his ill health, according to sources. Summoning of a former heavyweight leader of the Left regime assumes significance as the present Government has vowed to show zero tolerance towards corruption.
But former PWD Chief Engineer Sunil Bhowmik was grilled by the inquiry official of the Vigilance Organisation in connection with the case involving Rs 800 crore for procedural irregularities and possible misappropriation of funds while sanctioning PWD works in the 2008-2009 financial year.
