The CBI has registered a fresh case alleging a massive scam worth ₹804 crore at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), involving its officials and Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE). The FIR accuses them of inflating estimates, rigging bids, and favoring international bidders, leading to substantial losses for the exchequer . Searches were conducted at TCE offices in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai, as well as at the residences and workplaces of several officials, where incriminating documents and digital records were seized .

The dredging contract awarded for channel deepening—a project spanning 2003–14 and 2013–19 phases—was manipulated with shadow-bidding by firms like BoskalisSmit India LLP and Jan De Nul Dredging, allegedly in collusion with JNPT and TCE officials.

Use of less accurate survey software (‘Qinsy’ instead of industry-standard ‘HYPACK’) was identified to understate dredging needs, further inflating costs .

Additional probe findings show TCE, as project management consultant, earned only ₹12 crore, yet oversaw tender restrictions that favored international companies, sidelining Indian bidders .

Main accused include former JNPT Chief Manager Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, TCE Project Director Devdutt Bose, along with international dredging firms and several unnamed individuals .

sources