Thiruvananthapuram: The vigilance and anticorruption bureau in Kerala carried out raids at different places in the state on Wednesday into allegations of disproportionate wealth owned by senior Indian Administrative Service officer, T.O. Sooraj.
The allegation is that he has amassed wealth disproportionate to his income. Sooraj is presently the secretary for the public works department.
Media reports indicate that vigilance officials have found documents that show he and his family have properties at multiple places in Kerala and outside the state and that the total value of these may be in the region of Rs50 million (Dh2.9 million).
The raids covered his office at the state secretariat in the capital, too. Hard cash running into more than Rs1 million was also seized. The vigilance department is likely to recommend that Sooraj be suspended from service.
Sooraj denied the allegations on Thursday. Speaking on a television channel, he said the cash found at his home had been for an upcoming wedding in the family and that some properties discussed in media belonged to his wife while some others were his own inherited property. He alleged that there was “a conspiracy” launched against him.
Last month, liquor bar owners had alleged that they had given a bribe of Rs10 million to finance minister, K.M. Mani. The veteran Kerala Congress (M) leader denied the allegation as “a conspiracy” and also filed a defamation petition.
The raids on the premises owned by Sooraj at different places commenced on Wednesday morning and went on until late evening. The development comes close on the heels of Indian Police Service officer and former superintendent of police for Pathanamthitta district, Rahul R. Nair being suspended for allegedly taking a bribe.
The allegation was that he was paid a bribe of Rs1.7 million by the quarry lobby in Pathanamthitta for reopening a stone quarry. Nair denied the allegation and instead accused two of his seniors in having a hand in the development.
