Visakhapatnam: In a major anti-corruption operation, the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday conducted coordinated raids at multiple locations linked to retired Panchayat Raj Superintending Engineer Kallepalli Srinivasa Rao, uncovering large quantities of cash, gold, silver and property documents. Officials said preliminary estimates point to assets worth over ₹30 crore, allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income.
ACB sources said the action followed credible intelligence suggesting that Rao had accumulated wealth far beyond his legitimate earnings during service. Acting on the inputs, teams carried out synchronised searches in Visakhapatnam, Saluru and Hyderabad, covering his residence as well as premises connected to family members and close associates.
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During the searches, officers recovered ₹61.87 lakh in cash, approximately 2.5 kg of gold and 20.3 kg of silver. The agency also identified three residential plots, two flats, and 18.57 cents of agricultural land in Saluru town, reportedly registered in the name of his daughter. In addition, five bank lockers linked to Rao were traced. Several property records and other incriminating materials were seized.
According to officials, Rao joined the Panchayat Raj department in 1990 and retired as Superintending Engineer in Visakhapatnam on December 31, 2025. Complaints received soon after his retirement prompted a detailed verification of his financial dealings, eventually leading to Thursday’s large-scale operation.
The ACB has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. A senior official said Rao will be arrested after completion of procedural formalities and produced before the special ACB court in Visakhapatnam. The identified bank lockers are expected to be opened shortly, with investigators anticipating further recoveries.
Officials said forensic scrutiny of the seized documents is underway, alongside verification of land registrations, flat ownership records, bank transactions and investment trails. The probe may also extend to family members and suspected benami holdings as investigators attempt to map the full extent of the alleged asset accumulation.
Authorities added that valuation of the seized properties and valuables is in progress and the total figure could rise once locker contents and financial records are examined in detail.
The operation comes amid an intensified statewide drive by the ACB against disproportionate assets, bribery and corruption within government departments. Over recent months, the agency has stepped up action across sensitive wings, including revenue and local administration, resulting in multiple raids and arrests.
ACB officials reiterated their policy of zero tolerance towards corruption, stressing that retired officials would also face strict action if evidence establishes wrongdoing. “Service status will not shield anyone. Wherever credible material is available, legal action will follow,” an officer said.
Further questioning of Rao is expected in the coming days as investigators work to establish the sources of the recovered assets and identify any possible links to contractors or middlemen. A detailed asset valuation report is likely to be submitted to the court once the investigation reaches its next stage.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
