CBI Court sentenced Assistant Commissioner and his Wife to 3 years Jail on Charges of Corruption
The Principal Special Judge for CBI Cases in Visakhapatnam has sentenced Sri Rayabharapu Venkata Lakshmi (RVL) Narasimha Rao, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise and Customs, and his wife, Smt. Rayabharapu Gowri Ratnam, to three years’ imprisonment. The court also imposed a total fine of ₹2 lakh on the couple in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
Case Details
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against the retired IRS officer and his wife, alleging that during his tenure as a public servant in the Department of Customs, Rao accumulated assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The investigation focused on the period from July 1, 2007, to August 4, 2011. During this time, Sri R.V.L. Narasimha Rao was found to have movable and immovable properties in his name and in his wife’s name worth ₹31.20 lakh, which was 71.81% higher than his legitimate income. He failed to satisfactorily account for these assets.
Smt. R. Gowri Ratnam was charged with abetting the crime by allowing her husband to acquire properties in her name that were beyond her financial means.
Court’s Decision
The court, after reviewing the evidence, sentenced both Sri R.V.L. Narasimha Rao and his wife to three years in prison. Additionally, the court directed the CBI to initiate proceedings to confiscate properties equal to the disproportionate assets, amounting to ₹27.57 lakh.
Significance of the Verdict
This judgment underscores the judiciary’s stance against corruption, emphasizing accountability among public officials and their associates. The confiscation order further serves as a deterrent against accumulating illicit wealth.
The CBI’s rigorous investigation and the court’s decisive action highlight the commitment to maintaining transparency and integrity in public service.
