ACB finds assets worth ₹9.41 crore linked to Civil Supplies official in disproportionate assets case

The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) identified movable and immovable assets worth approximately ₹9.41 crore during searches at seven locations linked to a Civil Supplies Department official in a disproportionate assets case on Friday (October 9).

The searches were conducted against V. Narasimha Rao, Assistant Manager (Technical) in the Civil Supplies Department, presently working as District Manager (RDO) at Mahabubabad and formerly posted at the Khammam Collectorate.

According to the ACB, the official is accused of acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income through corrupt practices and dubious means during his service. A case was registered under Sections 13(1)(b) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, following which searches were carried out at seven locations associated with him, his relatives and associates.

Among the immovable properties identified were five open plots measuring 1,230.16 square yards at Ballepalli, Raghunathapalem and Velugumatla in Khammam district, registered in the names of the official and his wife. Their aggregate document value was ₹30.72 lakh.

Investigators also identified agricultural lands at Kamala Cheruvu in Suryapet district, measuring approximately 1.08 acres, and at Srikonda and Namavaram in Mothe mandal. The 21.3-acre property at Srikonda had a recorded document value of ₹76 lakh and an agreement value of ₹5.64 crore. Two parcels of land measuring 5.31 acres each at Namavaram had document values of ₹19.25 lakh each and agreement values of ₹1.92 crore each.

The searches further revealed three residential properties, including a G+2 reinforced cement concrete building and another building at Kaviraj Nagar in Khammam, besides a three-storey house at Sagar Enclave, Bairamalguda, LB Nagar. These properties, registered in the names of the official, his wife and father-in-law, had a combined document value of ₹1.58 crore.

Among the movable assets identified were a Hyundai Creta valued at ₹18.49 lakh, a TVS Jupiter worth ₹1.05 lakh and a Honda Activa valued at ₹50,000. Household articles worth ₹33.48 lakh and gold and silver ornaments valued at ₹9.39 lakh were also identified. The ornaments included approximately 360.97 grams of gold and 31.58 grams of silver. Cash amounting to ₹15,600 was seized from the official’s residence.

The ACB said the total value of the assets identified so far stood at ₹9,41,06,975, based on document and registration values. However, investigators believe the actual market value of the immovable properties could be substantially higher.

Meanwhile, the agency is examining the suspected acquisition of a rice mill in a benami name. Investigators are verifying its ownership and the source of funds used for the investment.

The ownership, circumstances of acquisition, financial transactions and sources of funds relating to the identified properties are being examined. The ACB said verification of additional assets was also under way. The agency urged the public to report demands for bribes by government employees through its toll-free helpline 1064.