CBI raids IRE officials' residences, offices

The Central Bureau of Investigation has unearthed a scam in the purchase of uranium extraction filters worth Rs 50 lakh by some senior officials of the public sector Indian Rare Earths Ltd, the investigating agency officials said.

The CBI, which conducted raids on the official and residential premises of the IRE officials -- two general managers, two deputy general managers and one manager -- at Kalmaserry in Kerala, has seized several incriminating

documents, said the officials.

They said the CBI conducted the raids in Kalmaserry and in the offices of the private supplier, Mecon Engineering in Bangalore, on Tuesday after registering a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The documents were being scrutinised and follow-up action will be initiated. However, no arrests have been made so far, the officials said.

The alleged scam pertained to the purchase of ANF filters during 2005-06.