Bombay High Court criticises CBI over privateness breach in 800 crore rip-off probe, grants aid to TCE

The Bombay High Court on Tuesday (July 15, 2025) stayed a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe towards Tata Consulting Engineers (TCE) in reference to an alleged ₹800 crore rip-off linked to the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority’s (JNPA) capital dredging venture, citing procedural lapses throughout the company’s investigation. 

A Division Bench of Justice A.S. Gadkari and Justice Rajesh Patil handed the interim order whereas listening to a petition filed by TCE looking for quashing of a primary data report (FIR) lodged on June 18. The FIR named former JNPA chief supervisor Sunil Kumar Madabhavi, TCE director Devdutt Bose, Boskalis Smit India LLP, Mumbai, and Jan De Nul Dredging India Pvt. Ltd, Chennai and different officers and companies concerned within the venture.  

“It was alleged that throughout the upkeep of dredged channels in Phase-I of the venture, JNPA made extra funds aggregating to ₹365.9 crore to the contractors towards claims raised for over-dredging of channels. However, in Phase-Il of the venture, which overlapped with the upkeep interval of Phase-I, JNPT [Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust] made a further extra fee of ₹438 crore to the contractor, exhibiting that no over-dredging was carried out in Phase-l or upkeep interval thereof,” the CBI’s assertion learn. 

These alleged losses have been based mostly on over-dredging claims and falsified hydrographic information. The FIR invokes sections 120-B (legal conspiracy) and 420 (dishonest) of the Indian Penal Code, together with provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. 

TCE, which was appointed because the venture administration advisor in 2003, submitted the ultimate venture report for Phase I in 2010. Its tasks included preparation of tender paperwork and supervision of venture execution. 

Searches have been performed on the residential premises of officers of JNPA, TCE and places of work of accused personal firms at 5 totally different areas in Mumbai and Chennai which led the investigating crew to the restoration of a number of paperwork referring to the Capital Dredging Project, digital gadgets and paperwork exhibiting investments made by public servants.  

Senior Advocate Amit Desai, showing for TCE, argued that the corporate’s position was restricted to consultancy and that it had no half in contractual or monetary selections. He additionally contended that there was no materials proof linking the agency to the alleged fraud. 

The Court famous that the memo disclosed the password of a laptop computer belonging to Devdutt Bose, which, the Bench stated, constituted a severe violation of privateness and the Information Technology Act. 

“How are you able to publish the password of somebody? This is opposite to the premise of the IT Act. You have induced injury to somebody. You (CBI) can’t publish another person’s password in public. This is a really delicate matter. This includes tampering. This in itself is necessary grounds for discharge,” the Bench noticed. 

The Bench additionally raised considerations about whether or not the disclosure was made with malicious intent, doubtlessly benefiting rivals. 

The Court has directed the CBI to make clear key features of the FIR, together with the supply of the grievance and whether or not the matter had beforehand been examined by the Attorney General for India or the JNPT Board of Trustees, as claimed by the petitioner. 

The case is scheduled to be heard once more after two weeks.