₹800 Cr Graft Exposed in Mumbai Port Project, CBI Books Ex-JNPA Chief & TCE

Mumbai | June 22, 2025
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a major corruption scandal involving over ₹800 crore in the Capital Dredging Project at Nhava Sheva port. The agency has filed a criminal case against the former Chief Manager of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, along with Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) and several private firms.

What Is the Case About?

The case, registered on June 18, revolves around the alleged misuse of public funds during a two-phase dredging project. The goal of the project was to deepen the port’s navigational channel at JNPA, India’s largest container port, to allow larger vessels to dock safely.

However, as per the CBI’s FIR, a criminal conspiracy was hatched between JNPA officials and private contractors to inflate work estimates and manipulate payment records.

Who Are the Accused?

The CBI has named the following key accused in the FIR:

• Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, Former Chief Manager, JNPA

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

• Boskalis Smit India LLP, Mumbai

• Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd, Chennai

These entities were part of the consortium executing the Phase-I and Phase-II dredging activities.

Fraudulent Payments Across Two Phases

According to the CBI, the first phase saw ₹365.90 crore paid to contractors for so-called “over-dredging”. But during Phase-II, which coincided with the maintenance window for the earlier phase, the same contractors claimed that no over-dredging had taken place earlier.

Shockingly, the port authority disbursed another ₹438 crore in Phase-II based on this contradictory claim. This raised serious red flags and triggered the CBI investigation.

Coordinated Raids in Mumbai and Chennai

On June 20, CBI officials conducted simultaneous searches at five locations, including:

• Residences of former JNPA officials

• TCE’s Mumbai office

• Offices of private contractors in Mumbai and Chennai

During these raids, the agency seized:

• Project-related documents

• Digital storage devices

• Investment records allegedly linking public officials to suspicious transactions

“We are analyzing the seized evidence to map the financial trail and identify all individuals involved,” a CBI spokesperson said.

JNPA’s Dredging Project Under Scrutiny

The Capital Dredging Project is critical for expanding JNPA’s cargo handling capacity. However, the alleged scam may stall future phases and trigger a re-evaluation of public-private collaborations in port infrastructure.

This scandal follows previous controversies in Indian maritime contracts. The government has repeatedly stressed the need for transparent bidding, third-party audits, and ethical project supervision.

Experts Call for Reform in Public Port Projects

Port infrastructure expert Capt. Vivek D’Souza said:

“Corruption in dredging projects isn’t new. This case once again highlights the need for real-time project monitoring, digital audits, and whistleblower protection in public works.”

Will the Case Impact Tata Consulting Engineers?

Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) is a reputed player in engineering consulting. However, their alleged involvement in a major graft case could have repercussions on ongoing and future government contracts. The firm has not yet issued a public statement.

Next Steps in the Investigation

The CBI has hinted at more arrests and financial scrutiny in the coming days. The agency is also coordinating with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to track cross-border money trails, if any.

The Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is expected to launch an independent review of all dredging projects under JNPA’s portfolio.

Why This Matters

The alleged ₹800 crore scam is not just a financial blow — it undermines public trust in large-scale infrastructure projects. As India pushes for modern ports under the PM Gati Shakti plan, ensuring clean governance and accountability is critical.