Twitter
Advertisement

Probe into former dy collector's assets began 3 years ago: ACB

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

A few days after the Thane Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested the deputy commissioner at Konkan Bhawan in CBD, Bhausaheb Patil, for allegedly amassing properties worth Rs11.34 crore disproportionate to his known source of income, the ACB officials have revealed that the investigation into his deals and properties started three years back.

Patil, 57, was the former additional district collector at Thane Collectorate and has also served as deputy collector in Mumbai. He has also held prominent government positions in other parts of Maharashtra such as Raigad and Solapur.

"We had received a complaint from a government official three years ago alleging that Patil had purchased farm lands and properties in different parts of Maharashtra that is unaccounted for. We started the investigation immediately," said Vivek Doshi, deputy superintendent of police, ACB (Thane Division).

As per the estimates, the ACB officials learnt that his wealth is 62% more than his known source of income. Patil amassed the wealth over the last 25 years while he was in service over the last 20 to 25 years. He had purchased several acres of agricultural land in Solapur and Raigad and two flats in Chembur.

"We raided his properties in different districts and analysed the worth over the last three years. We searched his documents, bank savings, lockers, etc. We then approached the registry and legal experts. It was found that his income from legal sources was much less than the assets he had. There was no recovery of hard cash. However, the total recovered property was worth Rs11.34 crore," said Doshi. All the properties were in the name of Patil's wife.

According to officers, the accused has also bought lands in violation of rules and he bought these lands while he was posted in all these districts, including Mumbai. He has also allegedly failed to declare his income tax returns and evaded property tax also. "In his statements, Patil could not give any convincing explanations to the source of his lands and properties. He said that the farm lands were his ancestral properties,'' added Doshi.

Patil was arrested under the Prevention of Corruption Act last week and was remanded in police custody till Thursday. He is currently in Thane jail. "We are investigating the matter to find out if he has amassed more wealth in this manner. We are assessing details of his other investments as well. After six months, we will be sending the proposal for prosecution sanction from the government. Once the government department approves, charge sheet will be filed. Currently, we are collecting more evidence and also inquiring if there are other government officials who assisted him in this," added an officer from ACB.

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement