DVAC probes EB officer for disproportionate assets

The official came under the DVAC scanner for allegedly amassing nearly Rs one crore wealth that was found to be disproportionate to the known sources of income between 2006 and 2013.

The FIR filed by the agency, registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, charged that assistant executive engineer G Saravanan, working in the purchase wing of the office of the chief engineer (distribution), Chennai south, Tangedco, acquired movable and immovable properties, constructed new buildings and pecuniary re-sources which are far beyond his known sources of income. These were acquired while he was holding office as assistant executive engineer (operation and maintenance).

According to the DVAC, Saravanan had possessed only a bike in 2006. However, by the end of 2013, he had a flat in Arumbakkam in his name and another in the same neighbourhood in his wife’s name, a one ground plot in Tiruvallur and two plots in Sriperumbudur – all three in his wife’s name – besides a car and new bike. Apart from the properties, the official also possessed more than four bank accounts, deposits and valuables, sources added. 

As per the DVAC’s estimate, the official now owns properties worth about Rs 98.27 lakh, which is believed to be disproportionate to his known source of income. The agency is investigating further to unearth more details about properties, cash and other assets he is suspected of amassing.

In the recent months, the DVAC sleuths have initiated action against a number of officials on charges of corruption, including a few officials from the power utility. 

The special CBI court in Chennai convicted a senior official of Central Excise and his wife, and awarded them four years rigorous imprisonment for amassing wealth that was disproportionate to their known sources of income.  

According to the Anti-Corruption branch of the CBI, S Muthukumarasamy, superintendent of Central Excise (Audit), Chennai IV Commissionerate, Central Excise, while working as superintendent in Chennai between January 1, 1996 and March 23, 2006, acquired disproportionate assets worth Rs 40,21,509 in his name and in the name of his wife Krishnabai. The Anti-Corruption Branch had investigated and filed chargesheet, as the official could not satisfactorily account for the disproportionate income. On Tuesday, R Vasanthi, Addl Special Judge for CBI Cases, Chennai, convicted the husband and wife duo and sentenced them to four years RI.