Mohan Naik's Sister-in-Law Disowns Rs 2.44 Crore Gachibowli Flats in ACB Probe

During an ongoing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Hyderabad, the sister-in-law of Roads and Buildings Engineer-in-Chief Mohan Naik has disowned two flats registered in her name near the DLF building in Gachibowli. Padmini Devi, who is suspected of acting as a benami for the senior official, told investigators that the properties do not belong to her and were purchased solely at Naik's instance.

The revelation came nearly a month into the investigation launched by the ACB into an alleged disproportionate assets case against Mohan Naik. During questioning by the anti-corruption officials, Padmini Devi denied any ownership of the two Gachibowli flats, which were purchased for a total of Rs 2.44 crore.

According to sources within the ACB, Padmini Devi explained the circumstances surrounding the registration of the properties. She stated that she went to the sub-registrar's office in Serilingampally to execute the sale deeds purely because Naik had requested her to do so. Despite her name appearing on the official registration documents, she maintained to the investigators that she has no actual claim over the flats.

Following these disclosures, ACB investigators submitted a report detailing her statements to a local court in Nampally to update the judiciary on the progress of the investigation.

The two flats located near Gachibowli's DLF building are part of a larger portfolio of seven flats that investigators have allegedly linked to Mohan Naik during their month-long probe.

According to anti-corruption officials, it is highly unusual for suspected benamis to disown properties registered under their names during disproportionate assets investigations. Typically, denying ownership is avoided because it weakens the legal defense of the primary accused. In this instance, however, Padmini Devi's statements have directly corroborated the findings of the ACB investigators, significantly strengthening the prosecution's case against the roads and buildings engineer-in-chief.