Patna: The Economic Offences Unit (EOU) on Thursday conducted simultaneous raids at six premises linked to Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, executive engineer of the minor irrigation division in Sasaram, in connection with a disproportionate assets case.According to the EOU, preliminary verification revealed that Chaudhary had allegedly amassed assets worth Rs 1.19 crore, around 85.05% more than his known sources of income.An FIR was registered against him on July 29 at the EOU police station under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.Searches were carried out at two residential flats in Danapur, his in-laws’ house in Muzaffarpur, his office in Sasaram, his official residence in Dehri-on-Sone and his ancestral home in Banka district. The raids continued till late Thursday evening after search warrants were obtained from the Special Vigilance Court in Patna.During the searches, EOU teams recovered around Rs 9 lakh in cash from properties in Danapur, Muzaffarpur and Rohtas. About 500 grams of gold jewellery was also seized. Investigators found documents related to the purchase of an SUV and a motorcycle.A resident of Pipradih village under Rajaun police station in Banka district, Chaudhary joined government service as an assistant engineer (civil) in March 2014. During his career, he has served in Aurangabad, Muzaffarpur, Nawada, Kishanganj, Patna and other districts.EOU DIG Manabjit Singh Dhillon said Chaudhary had purchased two flats in Danapur during his service tenure. “Both flats appear grand and luxurious. The valuation of interiors and expenditure on furnishing will be assessed during the ongoing investigation,” he said.The agency also seized a large number of investment-related documents, including papers linked to 17 insurance policies in LIC and other companies. The exact value of these investments is being verified.Further, investigators recovered 21 bank passbooks and documents related to fixed deposits in the names of Chaudhary and his family members. About Rs 25 lakh was found deposited in bank accounts and FDs, following which the accounts were frozen. Officials also identified a bank locker, which is yet to be searched.The EOU said evidence also suggested substantial expenditure on the education of Chaudhary’s children. Details relating to these expenses are being collected as part of the probe.
