India, June 21 -- The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has booked the former chief manager, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), and four others, including three firms, for cheating, conspiracy, corruption and causing losses of over Rs.800 crore to JNPA. The alleged irregularities are linked to the dredging of navigational channels between 2003 to 2019.

The JNPA had dredged its navigational channel so that larger container vessels could access the port. The dredging project was meant to facilitate higher parcel size of cargo, higher productivity at terminals and higher economies of scale.

CBI conducted searches at the residential premises of certain officers of the JNPA and the consulting company and offices of accused private c...