NNWN/ Patna, 2017-08-26

More trouble for the Bihar based NGO Srijan now. The Central Bureau of Investigation said that it it has registered cases against Srijan NGO NGO official and several bank officials to probe into the 1,000-crore Srijan scam scam in Bihar. The CBI has also filed FIR against Director of Bhagalpur-based NGO Srijan mahila vikas samiti, Manorama Devi, and multiple branch managers and officials from two Bank of Baroda branches. The agency took the decision after it got a nod from the Union Home Ministry on Thursday.The CBI has also booked the then cashier and head assistant of special land acquisition office in the fresh FIR. The charges mentioned in the FIR include cheating, criminal conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, beside other charges.

So far 14 FIRs have been lodged and 18 accused have been arrested by the SIT of Bihar Police, which began a probe following an order by the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The Srijan scam involves the Bhagalpur-based NGO Srijan which used to provide vocational training to women. The NGO allegedly pilfered funds meant for government welfare schemes from the bank accounts of the Bhagalpur district administration.

The Bihar assembly was adjourned sine die on Friday after furor over the scam, which was marked by sustained protests, walkouts and eviction of Opposition members.Chief minister Nitish Kumar who brought the scam in public domain for the first time on August 8 while speaking at an event on World Earth day, said "culprits would be traced even from 'patal' (beneath the earth) and government money swindled would be reclaimed at any cost."