Overview
- Investigators say the alleged fraud arose during COVID-19 school closures when CONFED supplied combo packs of pulses, oil and spices to students.
- The FIR names 21 accused, including multiple CONFED managers and the proprietors of four supplier firms such as Tirupati Suppliers, Jagrat Enterprises, MT Enterprises and Sai Trading.
- Preliminary findings allege tender rules were manipulated to shut out eligible bidders and to grant undue advantage to selected companies.
- The favoured firms allegedly sublet contracts and created an organised chain of bogus suppliers and transporters to mask real transactions.
- The ACB cites inflated and fake invoices with payments made without actual supply, estimating a loss of about Rs 2,000 crore, with further forensic review and legal action pending.