Hyderabad | In a significant anti-corruption operation, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted coordinated raids on Tuesday at multiple locations linked to a General Manager of the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWS&SB), uncovering assets worth over ₹5.8 crore in preliminary valuation. Officials indicated that the market value of the recovered and documented properties could be substantially higher, and further assessment is ongoing.
The raids were carried out simultaneously at nine locations connected to the officer, including his residence as well as premises belonging to relatives, associates, and alleged benami holders. During the searches, the ACB recovered substantial cash, gold ornaments, silver articles, and multiple property-related documents, pointing towards a large-scale accumulation of suspected disproportionate assets.
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According to officials, the search teams seized approximately ₹1.1 crore in cash, around 2.1 kilograms of gold ornaments, and nearly 9.2 kilograms of silver articles. Two vehicles were also taken into custody as part of the operation. Based on initial valuation, the total worth of movable assets has been estimated at ₹5,88,55,490.
However, investigators stressed that this figure is only preliminary. The final valuation is expected to increase after detailed scrutiny of property documents, market rates, and ownership structures linked to the assets.
The investigation also led to the recovery of documents related to significant immovable properties, including approximately 18 acres of agricultural land in Nizamabad and Sangareddy districts, six open plots, three flats, and a residential house in Hyderabad. Authorities are currently verifying the legality of these assets and examining whether they were acquired through legitimate income sources or routed through concealed transactions.
The officer under scrutiny has been identified as Sangam Anantha Laxmi Kumar, who was serving as General Manager (Engineering) at HMWS&SB. His income records, service history, and financial disclosures are now under detailed examination to determine whether the assets are proportionate to his known sources of income.
The ACB has registered a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, initiating a formal investigation into alleged disproportionate assets. Officials said the probe will not be limited to asset verification alone but will also include a comprehensive review of financial transactions, banking records, investment patterns, and possible links to third parties.
Investigators are also analyzing seized documents through forensic and financial scrutiny to trace the flow of funds and establish ownership patterns. Authorities suspect that some properties may have been acquired through benami arrangements, and efforts are underway to identify all individuals involved in the transactions.
Officials added that digital and physical evidence collected during the raids will be cross-verified with land registration records and banking data to build a complete financial profile of the accused officer.
The ACB emphasized that such operations are part of its broader effort to strengthen transparency in public administration and curb corruption within government departments. The bureau also reiterated its public appeal for citizens to report any instances of bribery or corruption through its toll-free helpline 1064 or official communication channels, assuring confidentiality of complainants.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to question the officer and associated individuals, while further financial irregularities may also come under scrutiny. Officials have not ruled out additional seizures or expansion of the probe based on emerging evidence.
A detailed report will be submitted to the competent court upon completion of the investigation, the agency confirmed.
