DVAC books PHC doctor whose wealth grew 50 times

His wealth increased from Rs 4.5 lakh to Rs 2.18 crore in just those four years, which was found to be disproportionate to his known source of income.

The officer under DVAC scanner was identified as Dr Sivaram Thilagar, who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation in 2014. At that time, Rs 97.96 lakh cash was seized from him. He was allegedly collecting bribe from nursing schools on behalf of his brother-in-law, Dr A Paramasivan, who was the director, AMG-II, Office of the Director General of Audit, Central Expenditure, New Delhi, and part of special audit team that was checking the audit of Indian Nursing Council.

Probing into the details of the assets held by Dr Sivaram, the DVAC found that on February 1, 2010, he had assets worth of Rs 4.5 lakh. But by the April 21, 2014, his assets skyrocketed and he was in possession of assets worth Rs 2.18 crore.

Dr Sivaram was medical officer of the primary health centre at Thirupukuzhi. There are a total of 35 PHCs in Kancheepuram district.

The DVAC has also listed Sivaram’s mother Muthulakshmi and his father-in-law Thangapandian as the second and third accused in the FIR, alleging that the doctor had purchased properties in their names using ill-gotten money.

The DVAC document further showed that the total income officially earned by the three suspects during the check period was Rs 36.59 lakh and their expenditure during the same period was Rs 6.80 lakh. After adjusting the likely savings and expenses, the value of disproportionate assets of the doctor was pegged at Rs 1.84 crore.