CBI scans EPFO officials, private firms for non-contribution of Provident Fund

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday stated that six cases were registered against Employee Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) officials and heads of private sector organisations for non-contribution of Provident Fund (PF) money, reported the Business Standard.

The CBI in Chennai issued a statement where it said that searches were conducted at 19 places, which included the premises of the accused. During the search, 535 documents and three hard disks were seized.

According to the Busines Standard, the searches were conducted in CP Aqua Culture India Pvt. Ltd., MSS Management Consultants Pvt. Ltd, SY Consultants, Efficient Management Consultants in Chennai, Kalanithi Constructions Pvt. Ltd in Chennai, Viswakarma Constructions in Chennai, Sukra Constructions Chennai, Stepstone Promoters Pvt. Ltd in Chennai and Adyar Ananda Bhavan, Chennai. 

The aforementioned report noted that cases have been registered against M. Thangavel, Section Supervisor, EPFO, Chennai, Enforcement Officers D. Vijayakumar, R. Vimala, Ramanan and Managing Directors/Managing Partners of private firms. This has been registered on account of Thangavel and othe EPFO officers entering into criminal conspiracy with top directors of private firms to avoid payment contribution to PF, dues and penalties based on bogus and fabricated PF Returns submitted by the accused firms and receiving illegal gratification.