PDS scam: CBI raids 12 locations in Lucknow

The CBI carried out searches across 12 locations in Lucknow on Saturday, in connection with a probe into a public distribution system scam in Uttar Pradesh to the tune of Rs 35,000 crore. [caption id=“attachment_283977” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“The PDS scam is estimated to be Rs 35000 crore: Reuters”]  [/caption] The scam relates to the alleged diversion of food grains meant for poor people to neighbouring countries. The searches were conducted at the residential premises of class-III employees of the state food corporation, middlemen and some godowns, CBI sources said. Sources said in one FIR pertaining to Lakhimpur District, that the CBI had named about 500 people in the case. They said the CBI was probing the case district-wise. The agency is probing the case in five districts while the rest of the districts are being probed by state police. The CBI got involved in the probe after the Allahabad High Court on December 3, 2010, asked it to take over the case in Gonda, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ballia, Lakhimpur and Sitapur districts. PTI