Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 31: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) has seized and attached house, gold and silver worth more than Rs 2.7 crores of Pranav Gandotra, the then TSO Satwari and Kerosene Oil Inspector Jammu Rural, who had allegedly acquired these assets disproportionate to his known source of income.
The attached property includes a lavish residential house reconstructed on three plots i.e., plot no 60, 61 and 62 situated at Sector 03 Channi Himmat, Jammu worth Rs 1,48,23,502. Besides, gold ornaments – 4kg 361 gms and silver articles – 11 kg 389 gms, worth Rs 1,35,38,560, were seized.
The official while posted as Incharge TSO Rajouri and Kalakote, allegedly received huge amount from Asstt Director CA&PD Department Rajouri, meant to be disbursed among private ration dealers on account of handling charges . However, he disbursed lesser amount to the private dealers and wrongly withdrew the remaining amount from Bank/treasury by manipulating the office record.
On prima facie establishment of criminal misconduct, case FIR No. 21/2018 was registered and house searches at residential premises of accused situated at Sector No. 3 Channi Himmat Jammu and Flat Nos. 1203 & 1204 Block A Royal Palm Apartment Akhnoor Jammu, were conducted on 19-07-2018, which led to recovery/seizure of incriminating material with respect to immovable/movable property and gold/silver ornaments worth crores of rupees. As the recovered property was well beyond his known source of income, case FIR number 35/2018 u/s 5(1) (e) r/w 5(2) J&K PC Act Svt. 2006 was registered in P/S VOJ (now ACB-J) against Pranav Gandotra, presently posted as Incharge TSO Satwari & Incharge K Oil Inspector Jammu Rural-I, FCS&CA Jammu for acquiring assets disproportionate to his known source of income.
During further course of investigation in case FIR No. 35/2018, it was revealed that accused has raised movable and immovable properties in his name and in the name of his family members which include luxurious house hold items, costly electronics gadgets, luxurious vehicles etc, gold and silver articles. There were apprehensions that accused may dispose of these assets and as such provisions of section 8-B of Prevention of Corruption Act, Svt. 2006 were invoked. The said properties were attached and seized by investigating officer and team of ACB J&K in presence of magistrate, independent witness and local police. Further, investigation of the case is going on.
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