Accused of fake research projects, appointing relatives
Former Director of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur Dr Rakesh Kumar has been suspended from service, three days before his retirement from service on superannuation. The suspension order was issued by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi. Dr Rakesh Kumar has moved the Central Administration Tribunal (CAT) to challenge his suspension.
Dr Rakesh Kumar was divested of the post of CSIR-NEERI Director and placed at CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi in April 2021. He was accused of serious changes related to funding research which was never carried out and appointing his relatives and friends in various departments. An enquiry was conducted following several complaints received by the CSIR authorities and he was divested of his post.
Besides Dr Rakesh Kumar, eight to nine scientists were also under the scanner, for involvement in the scandal. The CSIR authorities collected information related to the complaints received against him and divested him of the post of NEERI Director. Dr Rakesh Kumar is also accused of payments to some fake companies or companies in the name of his relatives.
Dr Kumar was to retire on March 31. CSIR, however, is conducting enquiry against him. Although the details of alleged corruption and other details are known only to the CSIR authorities, the money involved runs into crores.
Dr Rakesh Kumar moved CAT challenging his suspension. CAT has asked CSIR to submit its reply by April 30.