Bihar EOU raids five places in three districts linked to excise inspector in DA case

Patna, July 9 (IANS) The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) of Bihar Police on Thursday carried out simultaneous raids at five locations linked to Ankesh Kumar Gond, an Excise Inspector posted in Siwan, in connection with a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

The searches are part of the EOU’s continuing anti-corruption drive against public servants accused of possessing assets beyond their known sources of income.

According to the EOU, a preliminary verification of information received from reliable sources found prima facie evidence that Ankesh Kumar Gond had accumulated assets disproportionate to his known income.

Based on the findings, the agency registered an FIR No. 13/26, dated July 8, under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.

After obtaining search warrants from the Special Vigilance Court, Patna, the EOU launched coordinated raids in the morning.

The investigating agency stated that its verification indicated the Excise Inspector had allegedly acquired assets worth approximately Rs 2.36 crore in excess of his known sources of income.

According to the EOU, the disproportionate assets are estimated to be 201.97 per cent higher than his legitimate income, based on the preliminary investigation.

These findings formed the basis for registering the case and initiating search operations.

EOU teams, led by officers of the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), conducted searches at the residence at Sultanpur, under Danapur police station area in Patna, ancestral house at Chandanbagh, under Kasim Bazar police station area in Munger, a commercial building at Lallupokhar in Munger, office chamber in the Excise Department at Siwan, and a rented residence behind the Chitragupt Nagar Registry Office in Siwan town.

During the searches, officials examined property documents, bank account records, documents relating to movable and immovable assets, investment records, and other financial and documentary evidence.

EOU teams are also cross-verifying records related to assets and financial transactions as part of the investigation.

An official of the Economic Offences Unit said the search operation is still underway and that a detailed inventory of documents, assets, and other materials recovered during the raids will be released after the operation is completed.

–IANS

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