Explained: MD Satish Agnihotri dismissed over corruption allegations in bullet train project

New Delhi: Rajendra Prasad was appointed the new Managing Director of the National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) on July 8. He replaced Satish Agnihotri who led the project as the chairman and managing director of Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL). However, Agnihotri was removed from the post over corruption charges by the Railway Ministry on July 7.

Corruption charges against Satish Agnihotri 

The order to terminate Satish Agnihotri from his service in the bullet train project came after the Lokpal court order of June 2. In the order, the court directed the CBI to probe charges of a ”quid pro quo” deal allegedly struck by him with a private company during his nine-year tenure in RVNL.

Agnihotri, a 1982 batch retired IRSE officer is accused of misusing his position and illegally diverting funds of Rs 1,100 crore to a private company, owned by the Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL). The RVNL also has a stake in the company.

It is reported that the company gave a house to him in Delhi and also awarded a job to his daughter at the company in favour of getting the contracts.

The investigation agency will investigate the charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The CBI has been given time to submit its investigation report in six months or by December 12, 2022. A complaint of corruption was lodged against him on September 30, 2022.

About the Bullet Train project 

The 508-km corridor to run bullet train is a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. According to the press communique issued by the Road Transport and Highways Ministry quoting former Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis said, ”We have decided to catch up (with Gujarat) because it is not just the bullet train but the beginning of a new phase of transportation.”

The deadline to complete the project was initially December 2023 but due to a delay in land acquisition, the deadline was extended to the year 2026. However, the first phase of the project of a 61-km stretch between Surat and Bilimora in Gujarat will be opened in 2026. The rest of the project will be ready by 2028.