The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a case against Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE), former officials of the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), and other private firms for alleged irregularities in the Capital Dredging Project at Nhava Sheva port in Mumbai. The alleged scam involves losses of over ₹800 crore to the exchequer.
The CBI registered the case on June 18, 2025, following a preliminary inquiry that revealed a criminal conspiracy between senior JNPT officials and representatives of private entities. The allegations include preparing inflated estimates, restricting competition to favor international bidders, extending undue favors to contractors, and suppressing reports from independent experts and organizations.
The FIR names several individuals and entities, including Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, the former Chief Manager (PP&D) of JNPT; Devdutt Bose, Senior General Manager at Tata Consulting Engineers Limited; Boskalis Smit India LLP; and Jan De Nul Dredging India Private Limited, as well as other unidentified public servants and private individuals. They have been booked under IPC Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), and provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI alleges that the accused caused a wrongful loss of ₹365.90 crore during Phase-I (2003-2014) and ₹438 crore during Phase-II (2013-2019) due to over-dredging. The project aimed to deepen the port's navigational channel to accommodate larger vessels. TCE, Mumbai, served as the Project Management Consultant (PMC).
The investigation revealed that JNPT allegedly made excess payments to contractors based on inflated claims of over-dredging during Phase-I. In Phase-II, which overlapped with the maintenance period of Phase-I, further payments were allegedly made despite no corresponding dredging work being substantiated in Phase-I or its maintenance phase.
According to the CBI, JNPT officials collaborated with TCE executives to favor foreign bidders by setting biased tender conditions. They allegedly violated guidelines by allowing joint ventures between solely eligible bidders, such as Boskalis Smit India LLP and Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt Ltd. The agency also found irregularities in rate fixation for dredging different rock types, project delays, false claims amounting to ₹348 crore without actual work performance, excess payments totaling ₹430 crore, and manipulation of pre-dredge surveys using less accurate software.
Following the registration of the FIR, the CBI conducted searches at five locations in Mumbai and Chennai, including the residences of Madabhavi and Bose, as well as the offices of private companies involved. The searches resulted in the recovery of numerous documents related to the Capital Dredging Project, along with digital devices and other incriminating documents.
The CBI's investigation is ongoing, and the agency is examining the recovered documents to gather further evidence. The case highlights concerns about transparency and potential corruption in public infrastructure projects, particularly those involving consultancy-led management roles. The investigation is expected to summon senior executives for questioning and examine financial trails linked to the contracts. JNPT has not yet issued an official response to the allegations.
