The Anti-Corruption Bureau has arrested Bhukya Hariram, an ENC of the Irrigation Department, Gajwel, who played a key role in the Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project. The ACB, which had been conducting searches since Saturday morning in the wake of allegations of amassing huge illegal assets, announced the arrest in the evening.
The value of the illegal assets identified till Saturday night is estimated to be over Rs. 100 crore and as the searches are still ongoing, more illegal assets are likely to be uncovered and the actual value of the illegal assets is huge.
The assets include two villas in Shaikpet and Kondapur, three flats in Srinagar, Narsingi and Madhapur, a commercial space in the AP capital Amaravati, 28 acres of agricultural land in Markuk mandal of Siddipet district, 20 gullies of land in Patancheru, two independent residences in Srinagar Colony, a farmhouse and mango orchard on six acres in Bommalaramaram, a building under construction in Kothagudem, a vacant lot in Miryalaguda, two cars, gold ornaments and bank deposits.
A team of ACB officials reached Hariram’s villa in Aditya Royal Farm in Shaikpet and started inspections. Parallel to this, searches continued in 14 areas of the state. Some teams inspected the ENC office on the first floor of the Jal Soudha and the Kaleshwaram Irrigation Lift Project Corporation office.
It is learned that tax receipts, several certificates and documents related to personal loans belonging to three properties were identified. Along with these, several files were seized and sent to the ACB office. Anisha is continuing searches to obtain details of Hariram’s benami properties.
The ACB, which found that there is agricultural land in Markuk mandal of Siddipet district, examined and seized the files at the Tahsildar’s office. The officers arrived in four vehicles at 9 am and continued the inspections till 9 pm.
Registration documents from 2017 to 2022 were examined. Officials said that several documents were found in the names of people related to Hariram. ACB officials suspect that a real estate dealer is acting as a benami for him. The investigation is ongoing to find out who is the benami owner of the remaining properties.
On the other hand, the ACB also conducted searches at the house of Hariram’s brother and retired Singareni employee Bhukya Joshiram in Udugadda, Lakshmidevipalli mandal, Kothagudem district of Bhadradri.
