Mumbai: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a sweeping probe into an alleged corruption scandal exceeding ₹800 crore involving the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), and two private dredging firms. The case stems from suspicious overpayments made under the guise of a Capital Dredging Project at the Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai, which were allegedly siphoned off through a criminal conspiracy involving public officials and private companies.
Criminal Conspiracy in Capital Dredging Project
Registered on June 18, 2025, the case names former JNPA Chief Manager Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, TCE Director Devdutt Bose, M/s Boskalis Smit India LLP (Mumbai), and M/s Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd (Chennai), among others. According to the FIR, the accused conspired to defraud the public exchequer during the implementation of the port’s Capital Dredging Project, which aimed to deepen the harbor to accommodate larger vessels.
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In the project’s Phase-I, JNPA reportedly paid contractors ₹365.90 crore in excess for “over-dredging” operations. However, these payments were contradicted by claims made in Phase-II, during which another ₹438 crore was disbursed under the assertion that no over-dredging had occurred previously. This contradiction flagged serious inconsistencies and prompted the CBI to act.
Raids Uncover Trail of Digital and Financial Evidence
CBI sleuths carried out coordinated raids across five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, targeting the residences of former JNPA officials, TCE offices, and private contractors’ premises. During these searches, the agency reportedly recovered a trove of documents, digital devices, internal communications, and investment records.
According to a senior official, preliminary findings suggest that illicit investments may have been made by public servants using funds allegedly misappropriated through inflated invoices and duplicate claims. The evidence is currently undergoing forensic examination to establish the money trail and beneficiaries involved.
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Public Funds Misused Under Project Payment Guises
The dredging work was part of a strategic infrastructure push to upgrade Nhava Sheva Port’s capacity. However, investigators believe that loopholes in contract execution, lax oversight, and conflict of interest between consultants and contractors enabled systematic fraud.
A CBI spokesperson confirmed that “seized materials are currently under detailed examination, and further inquiries are underway to determine the full extent of financial irregularities, track fund flows, and uncover the roles of all individuals and entities involved.”
This case marks yet another high-profile corruption investigation involving public-private partnerships in critical infrastructure development. The port authority, central agencies, and oversight bodies are now expected to re-evaluate their internal checks and consultant selection processes amid mounting public concern.