Telangana Engineer ACB Raid: In a major raid by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), a government Irrigation engineer in Telangana has come under the scanner. It happened after searches were conducted at 10 places simultaneously and a huge amount of assets. It includes a luxury villa worth Rs 7 crore, 25 acres of agricultural land, gold jewellery, and several properties were recovered.
The search was conducted against Ragiri (R.) Satyanarayana Goud, a Deputy Executive Engineer (DEE) in the Irrigation and Command Area Development (CAD) department in Nagarkurnool district. This was done as part of the disproportionate assets investigation. Officials are looking to see if the properties and assets can be explained against their known earnings.
The assets identified have a government value of around Rs 6-7 crore but could be worth much more in the market. There are varying reports of how much they could be worth, up to Rs 70 crore.
Telangana ACB Conducts Search At 10 Places
The ACB in Telangana conducted raids on Thursday, November 12 against the engineer’s assets located in 10 places including his home, government office and those belonging to family members and relatives.
The raid happened at various locations across Hyderabad, Nagarkurnool and Wanaparthy district. This included his village of origin, Shapur.
It is reported that the ACB teams have been watching the official for the last couple of months after receiving complaints about disproportionate assets. After looking into his records, salary details and property information, the searches took place.
Luxury Villa Worth Rs 7 Crore And 25 Acres Of Agricultural Land Recovered
One of the largest assets uncovered was a luxury villa in Hyderabad worth around Rs 7 crore.
The ACB also identified around 25 acres of agricultural land in Wanaparthy district. This included a farmhouse.
The assets include:
- Luxury villa worth Rs 7 crore
- Around 25 acres of agricultural land in Wanaparthy district
- Farmhouse
- Multiple plots of land in the names of the official and family members
- 3 bedroom flat in Karmanghat, Hyderabad
- 2 bedroom flat in Nagole, Hyderabad
- Gold jewellery (50 tolas)
- 3-4 four wheelers, 1 two wheeler and 1 tractor
The investigation has also highlighted investment assets. It is reported that there are around Rs 20-25 lakh worth of investments in mutual funds and chit funds. There were also documents relating to LIC and other insurances. The total value of these is being looked into.
50 Tolas Of Gold, And Investment Assets Identified
Alongside the property assets, the discovery of gold jewellery and investment documents are also a key point in the investigation.
It is reported the ACB identified 50 tolas of gold. Officials are also looking into investment assets including mutual funds, chit funds and insurance.
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Who is Ragiri Satyanarayana Goud?
Ragiri Satyanarayana Goud is a Deputy Executive Engineer working for the Irrigation and Command Area Development Department in Telangana. He was based within Nagarkurnool district.
He joined government service in 2005 as an Assistant Engineer and moved up through the ranks. His wife is also an engineer in the state electricity department, working for Vidyut Soudha, TRANSCO.
Officials are looking into the total legal earnings of the family along with their records, investments and property purchases to see if the assets can be explained.
What Happens Next In Telangana Disproportionate Assets Case?
This case falls under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988. The Act covers criminal conduct by public servants and intentionally obtaining illegal gains.
Section 13(1)(b) states that it is an offence to possess property or resources that cannot be satisfactorily explained that are disproportionate to known earnings.
On November 13 it was reported that Satyanarayana was arrested by the ACB and taken before a judge. NTV Telugu later reported that he was remanded in judicial custody until November 27.
