Penthouse, Gold, Cash: Rs 6.87 Crore Assets Unearthed in Telangana ACB Raid

The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a disproportionate assets case against revenue officer Desani Srinivas Reddy, alleging that he accumulated assets far exceeding his known sources of income. Reddy, who is currently serving as a divisional administrative officer in Ibrahimpatnam in Ranga Reddy district, was targeted in searches conducted at his residence, office and five other locations on August 20. Investigators estimated the value of the identified assets at Rs 6.87 crore.

The searches reportedly led to the recovery of documents relating to several properties owned or linked to Reddy. These include two residential flats valued at around Rs 2.63 crore, a ground-plus-three-floor penthouse estimated at Rs 1.61 crore, 10 acres of agricultural land and eight open plots located in Hyderabad and its surrounding areas. The properties form the bulk of the assets identified by investigators during the anti-corruption operation.

The ACB also found that Reddy had invested around Rs 86 lakh as his share in a bar and restaurant. In addition to the immovable properties and business investment, officials recovered Rs 4 lakh in cash and 680 grams of gold. Three four-wheelers, two two-wheelers and several household and electronic items were also found during the searches. While the official valuation of the identified assets stands at Rs 6.87 crore, investigators reportedly believe the market value of the immovable properties could be considerably higher.

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According to the ACB, the assets were allegedly accumulated through corrupt practices and were disproportionate to Reddy's known sources of income. The agency's action forms part of its investigation into the officer's financial dealings and property holdings. The discovery of multiple properties, agricultural land, plots, business investments, cash and gold has drawn attention to the scale of assets allegedly held by the government official.

Reddy has now been arrested and is expected to be produced before the special judge for judicial remand. The latest case is not the first time the officer has faced scrutiny from the anti-corruption authorities. A disproportionate assets case was previously registered against him in December 2009, when he was serving as a mandal revenue inspector. The fresh investigation will examine how the assets identified in the latest searches were acquired and whether they can be accounted for through legitimate income.

The ACB's action highlights the role of disproportionate-assets investigations in examining the wealth accumulated by public officials. Such cases generally involve comparing an official's known income and legitimate financial resources with assets acquired during their period of service. Further proceedings in Reddy's case are expected to determine the ownership, valuation and sources of the properties and other assets identified during the searches. The allegations remain subject to the outcome of the legal proceedings.

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