Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)
Mangaluru, Dec 15: Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) officials have said that prima facie, they have found that assistant director of agriculture at Bantwal, Francis Paul Miranda, is in possession of property in excess of his known sources of income. The officials had raided the residence and office of Miranda on Wednesday December 13.
The officials had conducted raid on Miranda from 5.30 am to late night on Wednesday. They arrived at the value of assets on Thursday.
The officials have found fixed deposits worth Rs 79 lac, Rs 10,40,000 in cash, farm house worth Rs 22 lac, house valued at Rs 25 lac at Pakshikere, agricultural machinery worth Rs 25 lac, flat worth Rs 29 lac at Manipal, 300 grams gold jewellery, car worth Rs 20 lac, another car valued at seven lac rupees, household equipment worth Rs 11 lac, and over a hundred insurance policies. Out of 12 acre land the official owns, areca and coconut have been grown in six acres, and the remaining land is left barren.
The ACB officials said that the official had income over and above what is shown in records. "If he fails to provide proper books of accounts to prove about the legitimacy of his income and assets, we can confirm that this is illegally acquired. We have given him enough time to produce documentary evidences. We will move against him only if it is confirmed that he is in possession of illegal property," they added.
The officials said that Miranda and his family members were cooperative during the investigation. It is said that some people who grew suspicious after Miranda recently bought a car worth Rs 20 lac, complained to ACB, who in turn, conducted the raids.