Andhra official amasses illegal assets worth crores

Vijayawada, Feb 17: A government official in Andhra Pradesh has allegedly amassed illegal assets worth crores of rupees, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) said on Friday.

The ACB registered a case of disproportionate assets against Nellore Zilla Parishad Chief Executive Officer (CEO) B. Ramireddy following simultaneous searches at 14 places in Nellore, Guntur and Chittoor districts.

During the search at his multi-storeyed house in Nellore town, the ACB identified assets worth over Rs 2 crore.

The official and his family members own houses, land and other movable and immovable assets in three districts.

ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police T. Prabhakar said searches have to be conducted at other places as Ramireddy had purchased properties in the name of relatives, friends and others.

The official was also discharging additional responsibilities as Nellore Municipal Corporation Commissioner and Zilla Panchayat Raj officer.

As Ramireddy is due to retire in March, he had stepped up his activities of amassing huge wealth in the name of others. He wanted to take the same back after retirement.

The ACB official said Ramireddy had given Rs 50 lakh as loan to some individuals.

He said the details of the illegal assets will be known after completion of searches at all places, screening of the documents and after his bank lockers are opened.