The CBI today carried out raids in 16 places across three states against controversial former Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Akhand Pratap Singh and claimed to have recovered Rs 3.65 lakh and documents relating to property running into crores.The raids began in the morning after the CBI registered a case under Sections 13(2) and 13(1)(E) (amassing of huge wealth disproportionate to the known sources of income and using corrupt means to gain wealth) of Prevention of Corruption Act. CBI has listed four houses, including a guest house, seven plots, four flats and a bungalow in the FIR against Singh.Singh, a 1967 batch IAS officer of Uttar Pradesh cadre, retired as chief secretary of the state in December 2003 when a PIL was filed against any move by the state government to give him extension. A CBI spokesman said the anti-corruption branch was carrying out raids at three places in Delhi, seven in Lucknow, two in Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) and four in Nainital.He has held various sensitive postings in the UP government and the Centre. ‘‘It is disclosed he is having a large number of properties in his own name and in the names of his family members and others, apart from a benami fleet of vehicles,’’ the CBI spokesman said. Singh is also suspected to have stashed his ill-gotten earnings in overseas bank accounts and has made several private trips abroad.CBI sources said Rs 3.65 lakh cash was recovered from the Shanti Kunj apartments in posh south-west Delhi owned by Singh. He is known to have amassed property, during his stint in the IAS, in the names of his wife Neelam and daughters Java and Juhi, including showrooms at posh Ansal Plaza. Properties include four plots in Sushant Lok.CBI sleuths also recovered an agreement signed between a construction company and Neelam for building an educational institute in Bhimtal, Uttaranchal, besides a document for 1 bigha agricultural land at Mehrauli.
