CBI books former Deolali Cantonment Board CEO A Kumar in Rs 5.72 crore assets case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in Mumbai has registered a case against A. Kumar, the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Cantonment Board in Deolali, Nashik, for allegedly possessing disproportionate assets worth Rs 5.72 crore. The case was officially registered following a complaint detailing the alleged illicit enrichment.

According to the CBI, the period of the alleged asset accumulation spans over a decade, specifically from January 1, 2014, to June 13, 2024. Kumar, a 2012-batch Indian Defence Estates Service (IDES) officer, is accused of intentionally enriching himself illicitly during his tenure at the Deolali Cantonment Board.

The case has been registered under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The formal complaint against the former CEO was filed by Ranjeet Pandey, who serves as the Deputy Superintendent of Police for the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) in Mumbai. In his complaint, Pandey alleged that Kumar's assets are vastly disproportionate to his known sources of income.

This development follows prior action taken by the agency. In June 2024, the Anti-Corruption Branch of the CBI conducted searches at Kumar's premises. These searches were connected to a separate case registered against him concerning alleged misconduct during his tenure as the CEO of the Deolali Cantonment Board in 2021.

That earlier investigation was also initiated under the Prevention of Corruption Act. It was set in motion after a complaint was submitted by the Deputy Secretary (Vigilance) of the Ministry of Defence.

With the registration of this new disproportionate assets case, the accused officer faces further prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The CBI is continuing its investigation into the alleged illicit enrichment and his previous actions during his tenure in office.