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DA case against plant quarantine officer, wife
The Anti-Corruption Branch of Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a disproportionate assets case against an assistant plant protection officer attached to the Regional Plant Quarantine Station, Meenambakkam, after the agency received an information that the officer, A Maharajan and his wife had amassed pecuniary benefits to the tune of Rs 18.63 lakh in a year from April 2016-April 2017
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Chennai
Acting on the information, the ACB officials conducted raids at his office and residence in Alwarpet and  seized several documents showing purchase of properties and valuables. CBI officials seized Rs 27 lakh in cash from his house, office and lockers operated by the couple apart from documents of several immovable properties.Â
CBI said the properties in the couple’s possession clearly indicated assets disproportionate to their known sources of income. The official’s wife is not employed, but had several properties and assets registered in her name in Madurai and Chennai.Â
CBI sources said the official seemed to be having other sources of revenue even before the check period, as the couple had properties valued around Rs 1 crore in 2016. He had purchased several properties in Madurai between 2008 and 2012, the official added.Â
CBI sources said that the accused official seemed to have colluded with the export and import businessmen and allowed them to export/import plants and plant products without proper inspection.Â
The Regional Plant Quarantine Station is responsible for inspection of plant products imported/exported through sea, air, rail and through land borders to ensure that the consignments are free of destructive pests or weeds.Â
During the raid, the CBI officials also found out that Maharajan had also paid Rs 23 lakh as advances for various purchases that he intended making in the future. Maharajan joined the department as a technical assistant in 1991 and got due promotions to become Assistant Plant Protection officer.Â
He had a modest family background and had amassed the wealth after joining the department, sources added. Following this, the ACB has registered a case under Sections 109 IPC (punishment for abetment) and Sections 13(2) r/w 13 (1) (e) of Prevention of Corruption Act.
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