Ex-labour officer, family members booked for ill-gotten wealth

A retired senior officer of Maharashtra labour welfare board along with his wife, son and daughter has been has been booked by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for illegally amassing valuables and properties much more than their known source of income.

Who is the accused?
The former government official has been identified as Mohan Dhotre. He was working in the labour welfare board as a commissioner. According to the ACB, Dhotre was a government servant for 30 years and retired in 2013.

How much wealth has he amassed?
Anti-graft officials said Dhotre had amassed Rs1.40 crore in moveable and immovable assets. The ACB had received a complaint against Dhotre in 2012.

Why has Dhotre been booked now?
Sources said the government did not give the required permission to the ACB to prosecute Dhotre while he was in the service. It was only after his retirement that the ACB officials got an opportunity to pursue the case. "After Dhotre retired he was no more a government servant and we carried out our inquiry. After completion, we learnt that Dhotre had amassed Rs1,40,83,525 which was much higher than he could have made from his legal income," said an officer from ACB.

What are the assets?
Dhotre owns flats in Mumbai, Pune, shops in Thane, and a piece of agricultural land in Akola. He has invested some money in shares, while the rest were in cash.

Why action against his family members?
The ACB has also booked Dhotre's wife Swati, daughter Harshada and son Yogesh in the case. "Some of the properties were in the name of the family members and hence they too are made an accused in the case", said the officer from ACB.