ACB books NIMS official in Rs 6.13 crore disproportionate assets case

The ACB has registered a disproportionate assets case against NIMS Additional Medical Superintendent Nori Lakshmi Bhasker. Searches at eight locations identified properties, bank and post office deposits, investments, mutual funds, vehicles and gold worth an estimated Rs 6.13 crore

Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday registered a disproportionate assets case against Nori Lakshmi Bhasker, 56, Additional Medical Superintendent at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), alleging that he amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income through corrupt practices.

The ACB conducted searches earlier in the day at his residence in Erragadda and seven other locations linked to his relatives, friends, alleged benamis and associates.

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During the searches, officials found documents relating to one four-bedroom flat, two three-bedroom flats, five two-bedroom flats and five open plots, including an 800-square-yard plot in Visakhapatnam, besides other properties. The properties are located in areas including Kukatpally, Manikonda, Petbasheerbad, Yadadri, Nandigama and Shamirpet.

The ACB also identified Rs 41 lakh in bank balances, Rs 12 lakh in post office deposits, Rs 35 lakh in investments in private financial institutions and Rs 29.55 lakh in mutual funds. Gold ornaments, three cars, four two-wheelers and electronic gadgets worth around Rs 5 lakh were also found.

The total value of the identified assets was estimated at Rs 6.13 crore, though officials said the market value of the properties could be significantly higher than their documented value.

The ACB further found that Bhasker had allegedly invested Rs 1.30 crore in purchasing a flat involved in a Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) dispute and had reportedly lent another Rs 1.33 crore as hand loans to various persons.

Further verification of the assets is underway and the case is under investigation.