CBI Registers Case Against Former JNPA Chief Manager & Private Entities For Rs. 800 Crore Corruption In Dredging Project

By Inder Vashisth

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a corruption case against the then Chief Manager (PP WD) of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and multiple private individuals and entities, following allegations of a criminal conspiracy that caused a massive financial loss exceeding ₹800 crore to JNPA.

The case, registered on June 18, 2025, pertains to irregularities in the award and execution of contracts under a Capital Dredging Project aimed at increasing the depth of the navigational channel to facilitate the entry of larger vessels to Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Nhava Sheva, Mumbai.

According to the FIR, the alleged conspiracy involved officials of JNPA and representatives of a Mumbai-based and a Chennai-based private company, along with a private consultancy firm which served as the Project Management Consultant for the dredging work.

Allegations of Excess Payments

The CBI alleges that:

• During Phase-I, JNPA made excess payments totaling ₹365.90 crore to the contractors based on claims for “over-dredging” of the channel.

• However, in Phase-II, which overlapped with the maintenance period of Phase-I, JNPA again made an additional excess payment of ₹438 crore, contradicting previous claims by stating that no over-dredging had occurred during the earlier phase.

• This discrepancy, the CBI says, suggests deliberate manipulation of project data and billing to siphon off public funds.

Searches and Seizures

CBI officials conducted searches at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including:

• Residences of JNPA officials,

• Offices of the consulting firm and private contractors.

The searches resulted in the seizure of:

• Project-related documents,

• Digital devices,

• Evidence of investments made by public servants, which are now under scrutiny.

Accused Named in the FIR

• Sunil Kumar Madabhavi – Then Chief Manager (PP WD), JNPT

• Devdutt Bose – Project Director, Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE)

• M/s Tata Consulting Engineers Ltd., Mumbai

• M/s BoskalisSmit India LLP, Mumbai

• M/s Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd., Chennai

• Unknown public and private persons

The CBI emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and further leads are being pursued.