Hyderabad ACB seizes ₹17 lakh from the bathroom of Chevella ADE’s house

ACB searches residence of officer’s alleged benami

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which arrested Electricity Department assistant divisional engineer (ADE) Yerugu Ambedkar in a disproportionate assets case, conducted searches on Wednesday evening at the house of another ADE, Rajesh Babu, alleged to be his benami.

During the raid at his residence in Maredpally, Secunderabad, ACB officials recovered ₹17 lakh in cash hidden inside a bathroom. They also seized documents related to immovable properties. Rajesh Babu was not present during the raid. Sources said he has not been attending office for the last two days.

Rajesh Babu was posted to Chevella in Ranga Reddy district nine months ago on promotion. Earlier, he worked as assistant engineer at the Chilkur feeder in Moinabad mandal.

Investigators said Ambedkar, posted at Ibrahim Bagh, is estimated to have amassed assets worth ₹100 crore. The inquiry also revealed that Rajesh Babu acted as his benami. Allegations persist that power officials and contractors in the Chevella region collected large sums for granting new electricity connections to layouts, houses and farmhouses. During his posting at Moinabad, Rajesh Babu is said to have collected huge amounts for farmhouses seeking new connections.

On Wednesday, Ambedkar was produced in court and sent to 14-day judicial remand. He was shifted to Chanchalguda jail. Officials said they are yet to open lockers linked to him.

On Tuesday, ACB had searched Ambedkar’s residence in Manikonda and the houses of his relatives. They also recovered ₹2.18 crore from the residence of Satish, another alleged benami of Ambedkar. Officials described the seizure as one of the rarest in ACB’s history.