Senior cop to face ACB probe in disproportionate assets case

Home minister RR Patil announced in the Assembly that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) would investigate charges against Additional Commissioner of Police (central) Krishna Prakash that he allegedly purchased property and farm land disproportionate to his known source of income.

An officer of the rank of special inspector general of the ACB will investigate the matter and submit the report within three months, he said.

Opposition members alleged that Prakash purchased land in Shirdi, Pune and Mumbai at prices lower than the market rate. He has been accused of buying agriculture land in violation of the existing rules under which only a farmer in the state can buy such land.

Devendra Phadnavis, Eknath Khadse, Nana Patole and Sudhir Mungantiwar, all from BJP, alleged that Prakash amassed illegal assets in most districts including Aurangabad, Pune and Ahmednagar where he had been posted. He is also said to have purchased flats in Mumbai and Pune.

During his posting in Ahmednagar, Prakash used his influence to buy property at Rs 1 lakh per acre against the market rate of Rs 10 lakh per acre, Phadnavis said, adding that that the matter should be investigated. Mungantiwar sought Prakash’s suspension pending inquiry as, according to him, the police officer was capable of influencing the probe.

Patole wondered how the officer managed to get his property registered with the revenue department as a ‘farmer’.

He demanded a judicial inquiry into the land deals. Patil ruled out the suspension of Prakash saying that since the officer was posted in Mumbai, he would not be able to influence the probe.