Rs2-cr DA case: EOU cracks down on Hajipur civic body accountant

Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) on Thursday seized cash, land documents, insurance papers and vehicle records during searches at premises linked to Manish Kumar, an accountant with Hajipur Municipal Council, in a disproportionate assets case involving more than Rs 2 crore.

According to the EOU, “A case was registered on June 10 under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Manish, a resident of Bagmali, Ward No. 11 in Hajipur, Vaishali district. EOU verification found prima facie evidence of assets worth Rs 2 crore, which is 208% more than his known income. His total salary since joining is around Rs 50,00,000.”

Kumar joined the municipal office as a peon on compassionate grounds in 2011 following his father’s death and was later promoted to accountant.

Teams led by EOU deputy superintendent of police (DSP) C P Yadav conducted searches at Kumar’s residence in Bagmali, his office and another property in Jadhua linked to financial transactions involving him.

EOU deputy inspector general Manavjit Singh Dhillon said, “Documents for six land plots worth about Rs 85 lakh registered in his wife Sunita’s name. Two plots registered jointly with Jagdish Rai and Sunita, whose market value reportedly is much higher than the registered value. Details of seven bank accounts in the names of Kumar, wife and children. About Rs 15 lakh cash in different accounts of Kumar and his wife has been frozen. Ten LIC policies, including one with Rs 1.5 lakh annual premium, was also recovered during the searches.”

The EOU also seized Rs 50,000 cash, records relating to an SUV and a motorcycle, and documents linked to jewellery purchases worth several lakh rupees.

DSP Yadav said, “He has been ordered to appear by Monday. His wife, children and mother were present.”

The urban development department has been informed about the case. Further analysis of the seized documents is underway.