In a first-of-its-kind case in the State, the Special Court of Anti-Corruption Bureau, under the provisions of the Special Court Act, has confiscated the properties of the Surveyor in Survey and Land Records Department, Vizianagaram district, Gedela Lakshmi Ganeswara Rao, who was arrested by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in 2017, for possessing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Speaking to the media, Director-General of ACB R.P. Thakur said, “Earlier as per the AP Prevention of Corruption Act, the properties of the accused would be attached, but in this case the properties will be confiscated by the government.”
According to him, only two other states Odisha and Bihar follow this system. This is a clear message to the erring officers that they can no longer enjoy the properties if convicted. “Once convicted, the properties will be taken over by the government and sold,” he said.
Under confiscation, the government will enjoy the property and if the accused is convicted, the government will own the property and if the accused is acquitted, they will be returned, said Mr. Thakur. The Special Court is a fast track court and unlike the normal ACB Court the trial will be completed in one year.