ACB seizes 2.5 kg gold from irrigation engineer

Hyderabad: Irrigation and CAD Deputy Executive Engineer R Satyanarayana, from whom Anti Corruption Bureau officials seized 2.5 kg of gold ornaments, allegedly accepted gold chains, rings, and jewellery from individuals in exchange for official favours.

A day after conducting searches at Satyanarayana’s residence and linked premises, sleuths seized the gold from his possession. During interrogation on Friday, the accused officer failed to produce valid purchase bills for the jewellery and reportedly admitted receiving gold ornaments as gifts from friends, relatives, and acquaintances without offering satisfactory explanations.

Suspecting extensive benami operations, the ACB registered cases under sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, as amended in 2018. Simultaneous searches were carried out at the premises of Satyanarayana’s friends, benamis, and associates. Investigators also uncovered evidence indicating that the officer invested illicit funds into real estate ventures in collusion with his friends.

Sources revealed that Satyanarayana claimed his wife acquired portions of the gold from family members, though he lacked supporting documentation. Consequently, the ACB plans to summon his in-laws and relatives to verify whether the jewellery was received as bribes disguised as gifts for granting official favours. Earlier on Thursday, ACB teams raided ten locations linked to the engineer, seizing assets valued at Rs 7 crore on paper with an estimated market value exceeding Rs 20 crore.

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The Hans India