Bihar’s Economic Offences Unit has conducted searches against Superintending Engineer Pawan Kumar in a disproportionate assets case, alleging that he amassed assets far beyond his known sources of income. Raids were carried out at six locations across Patna, Bhagalpur and the Delhi-NCR region, leading investigators to examine cash, jewellery, bank deposits and several immovable properties.
Cash, Jewellery and Bank Accounts Examined
According to investigators, Pawan Kumar is suspected of possessing assets worth approximately 103.94 per cent more than his legitimate income. The alleged excess wealth has been estimated at around ₹3.90 crore.
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Kumar joined government service as an Assistant Engineer in July 1997. He is currently serving as Director of the Design Unit, Building Division Patna, and Superintending Engineer, Building Design Circle-I, Patna.
During the searches, officials reportedly recovered about ₹5.15 lakh in cash and gold and silver jewellery valued at nearly ₹39 lakh. Investigators also identified around ₹90 lakh deposited across 18 bank and Public Provident Fund accounts linked to the engineer. These accounts have been frozen as part of the probe.
Thirteen Properties Under Scrutiny
Investigators claim that Pawan Kumar, along with family members including his wife Avedika Singh, acquired 13 immovable properties during his service tenure.
Records show that in 2007, he purchased a flat in Yamuna Niwas Apartment in North Sri Krishnapuri, Patna, where the family currently resides. In 2008, he allegedly acquired a two-storey house in the Ashiana Nagar area of Patna.
The probe further found that between 2021 and 2023, commercial land measuring approximately 2 bighas and 4 kathas was purchased on the Patna-Bakhtiyarpur Highway through nine registration documents in the names of his wife and sons. Authorities said the final valuation of the land is still being assessed.
Insurance Policies and Family Expenses Checked
In the Delhi-NCR region, investigators identified investments including a flat in Max Bliss Society, Sector 75, Noida. Another apartment in Arihant Arden Society, Greater Noida, was reportedly purchased and later sold, with the proceeds allegedly used to acquire land parcels in Charkhi Dadri.
The EOU also recovered documents linked to multiple insurance policies, including six policies from LIC, four from Bajaj Allianz, one from ICICI Prudential and three associated with Max Life Insurance. Investigators estimate that annual premium payments on these policies amounted to nearly ₹3 lakh.
A Honda City car registered in the engineer’s name has also come under scrutiny. Investigators are additionally examining expenditure on overseas travel by family members and the cost of children’s education as part of the wider financial assessment.
The EOU has registered a formal case and is tracing the source of funds used for property purchases, reviewing banking transactions and analysing investments allegedly made in the names of relatives and associates. Further action will depend on the evidence gathered during the financial and asset verification process.
