IPS officer Nimbalkar suspended

The state government has placed Hemant M Nimbalkar, an IPS officer, now awaiting posting, under suspension following a report from the Lokayukta which revealed that the officer was in possession of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.

The government order stated that the Lokayukta Additional Director General of Police in his report stated that a raid conducted on the officer’s residences and office on March 16 had unearthed wealth estimated above Rs1.48 crore. The Lokayukta report also stated that the value of disproportionate assets may well go up as the investigation proceeds further.

The Lokayukta police report on April 9 stated that the preliminary investigation conducted by the anti-corruption bureau had prima facie established the offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The order was signed by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) under-secretary.  The suspension of the officer was to ensure that further investigation is completed smoothly without giving undue chance to the accused to interfere in the investigation and destroy the evidence. It was felt that it was necessary to suspend Nimbalkar with immediate effect in the interest and smooth completion of the probe.