Intro
The Anti-Corruption Bureau of Andhra Pradesh has stepped up its investigation into a disproportionate assets case involving a suspended Endowments Department official, taking her into custody again for further questioning.
Vijayawada
Officials from the Anti-Corruption Bureau Andhra Pradesh on Friday resumed interrogation of Kalingiri Shanti, a suspended Assistant Commissioner, after securing her police custody for two days. She was brought from Vijayawada district jail to the Vijayawada Government General Hospital for a mandatory medical examination before questioning began.
This marks the second round of custodial interrogation after a court previously allowed investigators to question her earlier in April. The agency approached the court again, alleging that Shanti had not cooperated during the initial phase of the probe, prompting fresh custody approval.
Shanti was arrested on April 7 following extensive raids at multiple locations linked to her. She is currently lodged in jail, with her judicial custody extended beyond the initial period. During court proceedings, she also filed a petition seeking permission to meet her young child, with the matter taken up for consideration separately.
According to investigators, searches conducted over nearly 10 hours in areas such as Tadepalli, Undavalli, and Visakhapatnam revealed assets significantly exceeding her known sources of income. The ACB reported that it uncovered properties and valuables worth approximately Rs 1.37 crore.
Among the assets seized were a residential flat in Visakhapatnam, a multi-storey building in Kunchanapalli, substantial quantities of gold and silver ornaments, cash, bank deposits, and vehicles. Officials also collected documents and electronic evidence believed to be linked to the case.
Following the raids, a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and Shanti was remanded to judicial custody. Authorities maintain that further questioning is essential to trace the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities and identify any additional links.
The case continues to draw attention as investigators deepen their probe into alleged corruption within the department, with further developments expected after the current round of questioning.