103 kg. gold worth Rs. 45 crore ‘missing’ from CBI’s custody

Madras High Court orders investigation to be completed within 6 months

If a sensitive matter is handled by a premier investigation agency of India in such a careless manner, it is better not to think about its overall performance ! Stringent action should be taken against the people found guilty.

Chennai – Around 103 kg. gold worth Rs. 45 crore has gone ‘missing’ from the custody of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The gold, which is part of 400.47 kg. in bullion and ornaments, was confiscated by the CBI when it carried out searches at Surana Corporation Ltd. Chennai office in 2012.
Following their raids at Surana’s office, the yellow metal was kept in the safes and vaults of Surana Corporation but under the lock and seal of the CBI.

Taking cognizance of the matter, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu Crime Branch-CID Police to investigate the matter. The probe will be conducted by a SP-rank officer and must be completed within six months. Justice PN Prakash trashed the CBI’s claim that its prestige will ‘go down’ if the investigation was carried out by local Police.