6 member SIT team begins probe in 16 crore wheat seed scam

A six-member special investigation team (SIT) led by additional superintendent of police (ASP) Devendra Peencha has initiated investigation into the alleged Rs 16-crore wheat seeds scam of Uttarakhand Seeds and Terai Development Corporation Ltd (USTDC).

US Nagar senior superintendent of police (SSP) Sadanand Date constituted the SIT late last night, almost 20 days after chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat ordered a detailed probe into the scam that saw an FIR being lodged against 10 USTDC officials, including a former managing director (MD), at the Pantnagar police station on July 7 following a complaint lodged by USTDC senior administrative officer C K Singh.

Agriculture department additional chief secretary Ranbir Singh, who was first to probe the matter, said his department had sent a proposal to the home department recommending an SIT probe after the chief minister’s order.

Confirming the development, Date said an order was received from the home department instructing them to constitute an SIT. “An SIT led by ASP Peencha has been formed with Pantnagar station house officer, who had earlier investigated the case, being one of its members, along with the city circle officer (CO) and three other SHOs. The team has initiated the probe.”