ACB uncovers assets worth over Rs 4 crore in searches on forest officer in Tirupati

Tirupati: The Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has unearthed unaccounted assets worth over Rs 4 crore in searches conducted on a forest officer on charges of amassing disproportionate assets.

The accused officer has been identified as Valapala Madhava Rao, 61, a forest range officer at S.V. Zoo Park in Tirupati.

According to ACB officials, a case was registered on November 6 against Madhava Rao under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Searches were carried out at Rao's residence and six other locations in Tirupati, Punganur, Valapalavaripalle, and Hyderabad on Wednesday, November 8.

The searches revealed that Rao had acquired expensive immovable and movable assets far exceeding his known sources of income. The expensive immovable properties found included a 5,450 square feet penthouse in Cherlopalli village in his wife's name and a 10,000 square feet building in Avilala village in his name, both constructed in 2022-23.

A ground plus one (G+1) building built in 242 square yards in Valapalavaripalle, and agricultural land parcels at an extent of 14.09 acres were purchased in his wife's name across Chittoor district. Movable assets uncovered included a Maruti WagonR car, two motorcycles, over 1 kilogram of gold jewellery worth Rs 40 lakh, silver articles weighing about 1.50 kilograms, household articles worth Rs 20.51 lakh, Rs 1.64 lakh in cash, Rs 12 lakh in bank balances and fixed deposits.

The ACB authorities estimated that the total value of disproportionate assets accumulated by Rao is Rs 4,66,28,000, which is 2,233% more than his income.
The ACB officials invoked offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act against the officer and further investigation is underway.