EOU to take up Darbhanga engineer’s cash, assets case

PATNA: The economic offences unit (EOU) of Bihar police is set to take up the investigation into the seizure of Rs67 lakh and documents pertaining to immovable assets belonging to the superintending engineer of Rural Works Department (RWD), Anil Kumar.
A senior officer associated with the investigation said on Monday that an EOU team has already joined the investigation.“The case will be transferred after completing the formalities in a day or two,” he revealed.
The engineer posted in Darbhanga division has been booked under relevant sections of the Election Commission’s model code of conduct and Prevention of Corruption Act besides accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
An FIR was lodged against him on the statement of Phakuli police outpost SHO Uday Kumar Singh on Saturday after the recovery of Rs18 lakh from his vehicle when he was on way to Patna from Darbhanga.
The interrogation of Anil and his driver Saroj Kumar Singh continued for the third consecutive day on Monday. Muzaffarpur additional SP (West) Syed Imran Masood said both the accused may be released on PR bond after interrogation.
During investigation, it came to light that Anil had purchased two plots of land in Patna besides two flats at Jagdeo Path and Veterinary College road respectively. The market value of the purchased land was yet to be assessed.
During search of his rented accommodation on Saturday night, the police had recovered Rs49 lakh. The investigation revealed that he also owned two luxury vehicles.
A senior officer on the condition of anonymity said, “The scrutiny of the seized documents is being done. Further action will be taken after verification from the sub-registrars’ offices.”
However, a silly mistake not to seize the driver’s mobile phone provided an opportunity to the engineer’s wife to shift the valuables from the flat in the state capital. The raiding team had to return empty-handed from the flat on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the RWD is set to initiate departmental proceedings against Anil on the report sent by the Muzaffarpur police and authorities in Darbhanga.
‘Many people will be exposed’:The superintending engineer, Anil Kumar, told the interrogators on Monday that many people would be exposed if he opened his mouth. “Agar mein muh kholunga to bisphot ho jayega,” an investigating officer quoted Anil as saying. He, however, refused to disclose the names he was referring to.