Hyderabad, Apr 27 (UNI) Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials have arrested the former Engineer-In-Chief (ENC) of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case, after raids at his residence and his relatives' houses unearthed crores of rupees worth properties.

Engineer-in-Chief Bhookya Hari Ram was arrested on Saturday night, following the raids at various places in Telangana.

Hari Ram, currently posted as ENC, Irrigation and Command Area Development (CAD), Gajwel.

During the searches, the ACB unearthed disproportionate assets worth crores of rupees.

The raids follow a case of DA to the known sources of Income was registered against Hari Ram, who has acquired assets by indulging in unlawful practices and dubious means during his service, the ACB said.

The raids were held just a day after Irrigation Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy warned that those responsible for flaws in the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project would be punished.

In a release, the ACB said searches were conducted at the house of the accused officer and 13 other places which belong to him and his relatives.

During the searches several properties including two Villas (Shaikpet and Kondapur), three flats – Srinagar, Madhapur and Narsingi, Commercial space at Amaravathi, 28 acres of agricultural land at Markook Mandal, 20 guntas land in Patancheru, two independent houses at Srinagar Colony, Hyderabad, one farm house of six acres with mango garden at Bommalaramaram, one building under construction at Kothagudem, two open plots in Quthbullapur and Miryalaguda besides two four wheelers including one BMW car, gold ornaments and bank deposits were unearthed.

The searches revealed that the accused officer has acquired these movable and immovable properties by abusing his official position.

The searches were still going on.

The accused officer is arrested and been sent to judicial remand.

Further investigation is in progress, the release added.

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