Benami unit unearths Rs 4.56 crore properties from Telangana and AP
It doesn't have power to attach properties or book cases.
Hyderabad: The benami prohibition unit, looking after TS & AP states, has found Rs 4.56 crore worth benami properties in the form of cash, shares and buildings.
The benami prohibition unit is a toothless body as all cases are forwarded to the adjudicating authority in Delhi. It does not have the power to confiscate the properties or book cases. The quantum of benami properties unearthed now is far less than the total properties seized during the anti-corruption raids in the two states.
An officer from the benami prohibition unit said, “Cases dealing with multi-crore properties are being probed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Most of the cases are in the final stage. The adjudicating authority in Delhi asks the income tax department to confiscate the properties if cases are proved.”
Mr R. P. Thakur, ACB, AP chief, observed, “The AP ACB is investigating three major cases and these are forwarded to the benami prohibition unit. The properties seized run above Rs 100 crore. The figures are much high as the ACB and the income tax department consider the registration fee of the seized properties and not the market value.”