Corruption: CBI recovers over Rs 1 crore during searches in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Bihar

New Delhi: The CBI on Wednesday recovered Rs 1.07 crore in cash during searches at 15 locations spread across Patna, Chennai, Kochi, Ernakulam and Kollam. The searches were in connection with two separate cases of corruption against government employees.

The searches were related to a disproportionate assets case against India Tourism Assistant Director S Ramakrishnan in Chennai, Tamil Nadu for allegedly taking bribe from hotel owners; and another case against, Chief Electrical Distribution Engineer Ravish Kumar, posted at East Central Railways, Hajipur, Bihar.

The searches in Tamil Nadu and Kerala in connection with the case against Ramakrishnan resulted in the recovery of Rs 31 lakh in cash and incriminating documents, they said.

The case against Ramakrishnan pertains to allegations of receiving bribes from hotel owners during periodical inspection in various hotels for the purpose of issuing classification and license.

"It was further alleged that the accused would be proceeding to Palani near Madurai with the bribe amount of Rs.7 lakh (approx.) collected from various hoteliers for giving favourable report. The accused was intercepted while proceeding to Palani," CBI Spokesperson RK Gaur said.

During the searches conducted in Bihar in connection with the case against Kumar, the CBI recovered Rs 76 lakh in cash, besides jewellery and documents related to 15 properties.

The CBI has alleged that Kumar amassed illicit wealth between January 2009 and October, 2020 while posted in the Railways.

"It was further alleged in FIR that during the said period, the accused received a total income of Rs. 1.04 crore (approx) from his salary and others and Rs. 40 lakh (approx) income of his wife.

During the said period, his total expenses were allegedly Rs. 67.41 lakh (approx). Thus, his likely saving during check period was allegedly Rs. 76.59 lakh," he said.

He said the accused engineer allegedly acquired and possessed movable and immovable assets at various places in his name and in the name of his family members of approximate value of over Rs.3.40 crore

"It was further alleged that during check period disproportionate assets have been computed at Rs 2.64 crore, which is approx 183.40 per cent of the net income, which is disproportionate to his known sources of the income," he said.