ACB Raids Suryapet Town Planning Officer V. Somaiah Over Disproportionate Assets

Anti-Corruption Bureau officials on Tuesday conducted surprise raids on the residence of Suryapet Municipal Town Planning Officer V. Somaiah in the Manasa Nagar locality of Suryapet district. The searches were initiated following complaints lodged against him over allegations of amassing disproportionate assets. The ACB registered a case and launched an active investigation into his holdings.

Simultaneous search operations were carried out at Somaiah's residences in Suryapet and Hayathnagar in Hyderabad. In addition to his residential properties, investigative teams inspected administrative records at the Suryapet Municipal Office.

During the raids, officials seized several key documents from his house. Investigating officers are closely scrutinising his bank accounts and examining the documentation linked to his various property holdings.

Somaiah previously worked as the Town Planning Officer in Miryalaguda, where he left his post following objections raised by the local MLA regarding his activities. He later secured a posting as the Suryapet Town Planning Officer on Full Additional Charge and subsequently assumed full charge of the post. At present, he holds the position of Suryapet Town Planning Officer along with additional charge as the Town Planning Officer for Kodad.

The official has faced repeated allegations of deliberately stalling files across his various postings. Inquiries revealed claims that he kept online files pending for months and cleared them only after demanding and receiving bribes. He reportedly owns residential houses and plots in both Hyderabad and Suryapet, and he is accused of constructing an ashram in Yendlapally while collecting large donations for the facility.

Further details concerning the full extent of the seized assets and potential formal arrests are expected as Anti-Corruption Bureau Telangana officials continue their investigation.