ACB takes DSP Bheem Reddy into custody in disproportionate assets case

Anti-Corruption Bureau officials took DSP Sankireddy Bheem Reddy into custody from Chanchalguda Central Jail for two days of questioning in a disproportionate assets case. Investigators are probing alleged benami holdings, property acquisitions, investments and assets worth over Rs.200 crore

Hyderabad: Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials on Thursday took Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Sankireddy Bheem Reddy into custody from Chanchalguda Central Jail for questioning in connection with a disproportionate assets case.

The ACB had arrested Bheem Reddy last month after a major investigation into allegations that he had amassed assets far beyond his known sources of income. An ACB court has reportedly granted the agency two days’ custodial interrogation of the police officer.

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Bheem Reddy, who is currently associated with the Police Computer Services wing, was arrested after the ACB conducted simultaneous searches at 16 locations linked to him, his relatives, associates and alleged benamidars in Telangana and Karnataka. The searches reportedly revealed immovable and movable assets with a market value of more than Rs.200 crore, though the exact value of the assets is still being assessed.

The case was registered under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, following allegations that Bhim Reddy had accumulated wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. He had earlier served in several police postings, including as Jedcherla Circle Inspector and Patancheru DSP, before being posted in the Police Computer Services wing.

During the searches conducted in July, the ACB reportedly unearthed details of a large property portfolio spread across Hyderabad and other parts of Telangana as well as Karnataka. These included a villa at Vessella Meadows, residential flats, commercial properties and agricultural land. Investigators also identified around 44 acres of agricultural land in Karnataka and one acre near Bengaluru airport allegedly held through benamidars.

The searches also led to the seizure of about two kg of gold ornaments, 20 kg of silver articles, Rs.3.6 lakh in cash from Bhim Reddy’s residence and Rs.40 lakh from the residence of an alleged benamidar. Investigators also found nearly Rs.19.91 lakh in bank balances and an investment of about Rs.75 lakh in a mineral company.

A diary allegedly maintained by Bheem Reddy became a significant lead in the investigation. It reportedly contained details of properties and alleged benamidars. The ACB used the information to trace properties and conduct searches at locations linked to those individuals.

The two-day custodial interrogation is expected to focus on the source of funds used to acquire the properties, the alleged benami transactions, investments and the identities of persons through whom the assets were allegedly held.