Padam Singh bribery scandal: CBI unearths Rs 1.98 Cr illegal assets

CBI officials have unearthed illegal assets worth Rs 1.98 crore allegedly amassed by Padam Singh, PPO, Plant Quarantine Station, Visakhapatnam.

The investigation has revealed that Padam Singh's assets were 1,704 percent more than his source of income.

CBI, Visakhapatnam registered a case against Padam Singh on Friday under Section 13(2) read with 13(1) (b) of the PC Act.

Padam Singh, Plant Protection Officer, Plant Quarantine Station, Visakhapatnam acquired movable and immovable assets to the tune of Rs. 1,98,22,794 between December 2, 2020, and July 15, 2022.

During the period, the total income of Padam Singh was Rs 11,62,816 only. However, the expenditure was Rs 20,52,717. His expenditures exceeded his income by Rs. 8,89,901.

It may be recalled that the anti-corruption wing of the CBI, Vizag, arrested R Padam Singh and the regional manager of Exim Logistics Private Limited Athi Bulli Reddiyya alias Murali.

Padam Singh accepted a bribe of Rs 6,000 from Athi Bulli Reddiyya for clearing pending applications and issuing a favorable certificate to Customs for the release of import and export consignments of agricultural commodities in July this year.