The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a tender scam in AAP government's Public Work Department (PWD). This time under scanner is Assistant Director of Horticulture Division, Ravinder Kumar, who allegedly floated 52 tenders and made around Rs1.20 crore through it.

According to sources, Kumar is a senior officer and he misused his position by floating several of tenders which were related to planting trees. Investigation revealed that on ground there was no scope of plantation at these locations. CBI has registered an FIR against Kumar and conducted searches at his residence in Ghaziabad and offices in Delhi. A written complaint was received by CBI on November 2016 from vigilance unit of CPWD.

According to a senior CBI official, Kumar invited a total of 62 tenders during April 2016 and September 2016 amounting to `1,16,83,865 for all the notice inviting e-tenders (NITs). Out of this 51 tenders were found suspicious in which no work was done and contract was given to a company which was hand-in-gloves with Kumar. Senior CBI officials said Delhi government has not taken action against him yet.

"Investigation clearly establishes that Kumar distributed the work to some pre-decided contractors by forging and manipulating records. The records were fabricated to award work to various contractors through wrong means. It is clear that Kumar has committed criminal offence of forgery of record in connivance with contractors," said a senior officer.

The online tendering process was also manipulated. "Kumar also fabricated computer generated documents regarding opening of the tenders. He used IDs of different departments to generate tenders. He has mentioned fake ids, used for generating and uploading the tender on NIC website," the officer said. Kumar being a senior official had the authority to clear low amount of tender without taking it to the cabinet or chief minister level. He intentionally rolled out tenders with low cost so that he could clear them at his own level.

CBI team will also investigate ids of departments that were misused by him. Role of other government officials and companies can also come under scanner.

Attempts were made to contact Kumar but he could not be reached.