Lucknow: The Central Bureau of Investigation has filed four FIRs against former officials of Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF), Hazratpur, and five private individuals, in connection with an alleged conspiracy to manipulate govt tenders and favouring private firms through forged documents, fake experience certificates and illegal payments.The officials include a former chief general manager and a junior works manager, among others.The cases stem from three preliminary inquiries into contracts awarded between 2022 and 2025.According to FIRs, several private firms secured contracts by allegedly submitting forged experience certificates, fabricated quotations and other false documents despite lacking the required technical qualifications.CBI claimed that factory officials facilitated the award of these contracts in return for gratification. The accused have been booked on charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery and under the Prevention of Corruption Act.One FIR is related to a firm which allegedly secured contracts worth Rs 5.67 crore through civil works, government e-marketplace (GeM), local and cash purchases.CBI inquiry found that the ex-CGM allegedly altered the eligibility criteria for civil work tenders during 2023-24, enabling the firm to qualify.The second FIR relates to two companies which secured 29 local purchase contracts after submitting forged quotations.Another FIR is related to a firm which allegedly secured 17 contracts worth Rs 5.26 crore despite lacking prescribed experience and technical qualifications. During physical verification, CBI found no business activity at the company’s address in Faridabad.CBI also has filed an FIR against the ex-CGM, a factory tailor and a private person for allegedly accepting a Rs 30 lakh bribe to overlook illegal construction near the defence establishment.A joint inspection by CBI and defence ministry vigilance officials confirmed the violation.On Feb 26 this year, CBI had registered a disproportionate assets case against the former CGM, claiming that he amassed assets worth Rs 55.58 lakh, around 73.28% higher than his known sources of income during his tenure at OEF Hazratpur.In Feb 2025, a South African national working with a US-based defence company allegedly made an unauthorised visit to the facility.Weeks later, the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad arrested an OEF chargeman for allegedly sharing classified defence documents with an ISI handler.
