Delhi's ex-principal secretary booked in disproportionate assets case

The CBI on Wednesday filed a case against former principal secretary of the Delhi government Sanjay Pratap Singh for amassing disproportionate assets worth Rs.6.14 crore, officials said.

Singh, a 1984 batch Indian Administration Service (IAS) officer, has been booked on charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

"Sanjay Pratap Singh has been booked for possession of alleged disproportionate assets of Rs.6.14 crore. He was earlier arrested on December 8 in a bribery case," said a CBI official.

Singh, a former principal secretary in the department of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Minorities under the city government, and his personal assistant were arrested on December 8 in a case of bribery of Rs.2.2 lakh.

A case was registered on a complaint by a businessman, whose firm supplies peons, security guards and other staff for sundry works to various agencies.

The businessman accused Singh of demanding Rs.2.2 lakh through his personal assistant to clear pending bills for services rendered by the company.

The CBI raided Singh's residence and recovered documents pertaining to ownership of eight properties in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR), including three properties in Noida, two in Greater Noida, two in Gurgaon and booking of one floor at Safdurjung Enclave in Delhi.

A CBI official said these properties were in the name of Singh and his wife.

"At least 31 gold bars, cash amounting to Rs.36.1 lakh, $5,279, and 1,230 pounds as well as 100 gram gold coins and 5 kg silver utensils were also recovered from Singh's lockers.

"Bank balance of Rs.2 crore in 22 accounts maintained by him and his family members and investment of Rs.2 crore in fixed deposites and personal provident fund (PPF) accounts and tax free bonds were also found during searches," the official said.

--Indo-Asian New Service

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