The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) on Thursday conducted searches at premises linked to Manish Kumar, an accountant with the Hajipur Municipal Council, and seized cash, land documents, insurance papers, and vehicle records in a disproportionate assets case involving more than Rs 2 crore.
Case Registration and Findings
According to the EOU, a case was registered on June 10 under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against Manish, a resident of Bagmali, Ward No. 11 in Hajipur, Vaishali district. The EOU verification found prima facie evidence of assets worth Rs 2 crore, which is 208% more than his known income. His total salary since joining is around Rs 50,00,000.
Background of the Accused
Kumar joined the municipal office as a peon on compassionate grounds in 2011 following his father's death and was later promoted to accountant. Teams led by EOU Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) C P Yadav conducted searches at Kumar's residence in Bagmali, his office, and another property in Jadhua linked to financial transactions involving him.
Seized Assets and Documents
EOU Deputy Inspector General Manavjit Singh Dhillon stated that documents for six land plots worth about Rs 85 lakh registered in his wife Sunita's name were recovered. Two plots were registered jointly with Jagdish Rai and Sunita, with market values reportedly much higher than the registered values. Details of seven bank accounts in the names of Kumar, his wife, and children were also found. About Rs 15 lakh cash in different accounts of Kumar and his wife has been frozen. Ten LIC policies, including one with a Rs 1.5 lakh annual premium, were recovered during the searches.
The EOU also seized Rs 50,000 cash, records relating to an SUV and a motorcycle, and documents linked to jewellery purchases worth several lakh rupees.
Further Proceedings
DSP Yadav said, “He has been ordered to appear by Monday. His wife, children and mother were present.” The urban development department has been informed about the case. Further analysis of the seized documents is underway.
