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News India Live, Digital Desk: The troubles of Superintendent Prabha Bhandari, posted in the Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) Department in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, are not showing any signs of abating. Now the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a new and serious case of ‘Disproportionate Assets’ (DA Case) against Prabha Bhandari, who was already in the clutches in the bribery case. This action of CBI has created a stir in the administrative corridors from Jhansi to Lucknow.
Secret of assets revealed after being caught taking bribe The case started when Prabha Bhandari was caught red-handed demanding a huge amount from a businessman in exchange for GST related work. During the raid conducted at that time, the CBI team had found such documents and evidence which pointed towards his assets far in excess of his legitimate income. After initial investigation, CBI found that Prabha Bhandari and her family members have movable and immovable assets worth crores of rupees, the source of which does not match with their official salary.
Suspicion of benami property and investment worth crores According to CBI sources, Prabha Bhandari amassed wealth illegally by misusing her position and invested it in purchasing real estate, bank fixed deposits and precious jewellery. The investigating agency is now closely scrutinizing all the bank accounts and lockers which are in his name or those close to him. Sources claim that in the coming days some other big names may also be revealed who were his helpers in this ‘corruption game’.
FIR registered in special CBI court of Lucknow CBI’s Lucknow-based Anti-Corruption Branch has registered an FIR in this case under relevant sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act. It is being told that the value of Prabha Bhandari’s assets is several hundred percent more than her known sources of income. The CBI team is now strictly investigating whether this money was only for bribe or some big syndicate was working behind it.
Action under the policy of zero tolerance on corruption Under the Central Government’s policy of ‘zero tolerance’ on corruption, central agencies have cracked down on many big officials in UP in the recent past. This latest action against Prabha Bhandari is being considered a part of this series. Departmental sources say that the report of this matter is also being sent to the Finance Ministry, after which strict disciplinary action like suspension or termination of service can also be taken.