STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered an FIR against an official of Power Development Department (PDD) for possessing assets worth over Rs 2.37 crore, which are disproportionate to his known sources of income.
As per an official spokesperson of ACB, based on results of verification conducted by ACB on allegations that one Surinder Singh, son of Jagdish Singh, resident of Upper Thathar Jammu, posted as a Meter Reader in PDD at Gandhi Nagar has amassed huge properties, both movable and immovable worth crores, in his own name and in names of his family members which were highly disproportionate to his known sources of income, an FIR 01/21 was registered under Sections 5(1) (e) read with Section 5(2) PC Act and Sections 109 and 120-B of RPC against accused persons namely Surinder Singh, his son Kunal Singh, wife Meenakshi Bandral and others.
Meter reader owns a Banquet Hall (Oasis Farms), a Gym, a construction company, Audi car, two Scorpios
The official further said that ACB’s verification has revealed that accused Surinder Singh (Meter Reader) and his family members had accumulated both immovable as well as moveable assets, including 7.8 acres of land in various parts of Jammu, a Banquet Hall (Oasis Farms), a Gym and a construction Business under name and style of MK Building Materials & Constructions, which is beyond reach of a public servant of his stature. Apart from this, moveable properties in form of an Audi car, two Scorpio, one tractor and a motorcycle was also found in his possession.
A preliminary assessment of both immovable and moveable assets had revealed that accused Surinder Singh and his family members were in possession of assets worth Rs 2.37 crore, which were highly disproportionate to their known sources of incomes. In order to avoid scrutiny before eyes of law, the assets were disguised in names of wife and son. It was revealed that wife of accused is running a construction business whereas verification has revealed that she does not possess enough resources to create so many assets. The verification further revealed that construction business was only an eye wash to disguise unaccounted money, which was pumped into creation of immoveable and moveable assets, he added.
The spokesperson further said that after registration of FIR against accused and his family members, search warrants were obtained and searches were conducted at all locations and incriminating documents and articles were recovered, which are presently under scrutiny. The Bank accounts of the accused and his family members are also being scrutinised for further flow of amounts in them and presence of lockers maintained by accused Surinder Singh and his family members, he said, adding that further investigation of the case is in progress.
