IAS officer Ramesh Abhishek finds himself in choppy waters following the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) raid at his residence.
The raids were conducted against him and his daughter, Vanessa Agrawal, for owing disproportionate assets.
The Print, citing an agency source, has reported that they have been booked under sections 12 (punishment for abetment of offences), and 13 (criminal misconduct by a public servant) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and 120 B (criminal conspiracy) and 109 (offence is in pursuance of the conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The report adds that the FIR against Abhishek, a Bihar cadre officer who is the former secretary at the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) and ex-chairman of the Forward Markets Commission (FMC), was lodged following anti-corruption watchdog Lokpal’s orders.
He’s also one of the three independent directors of the fintech company Paytm Payments Bank, who is being probed over possible compliance issues.
Lokpal pointed out doubtful transactions that Abhishek and his daughter received from companies dealing with the former civil servant when he was still part of the DPIIT and the FMC.
“Director, Enforcement Directorate, is directed to make enquiries in regard to the valuation of the property viz. E-72, Greater Kailash, Part-II, acquired by the public servant (respondent) and co-owners/owners of other floors. ED should also enquire whether there was any conflict of interest in terms of remuneration received by the public servant (respondent) and/or his relatives. During this enquiry, it may also be ascertained whether the public servant (respondent) was required to inform relevant authority, the cost of redevelopment of the property bought by him in GK-II and whether the appropriate authority was informed or not,” the Delhi HC order quoted Lokpal.
Many of the premier initiatives of the Narendra Modi government, including the Made in India and Startup India programs, are credited to Abhishek. On September 21, 2012, he became the FMC chief. In February 2016, he was appointed the secretary of DPIIT. He retired in July 2019.
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