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Telangana ACB Books Transport Official for Disproportionate Assets, Seizes House, Plot, Vehicle, and Gold

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  Published in Automotive and Transportation on Wednesday, December 24th 2025 at 1:08 GMT by Telangana Today

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Telangana ACB books transport official in disproportionate‑assets case; seizes properties

The Telangana Accounts and Cautions Board (ACB), a specialised arm of the state government tasked with monitoring the financial integrity of public officials, has moved against a senior transport‑department officer on the basis of a disproportionate‑assets case. The official, identified only in court documents as “Mr R. S. S.,” was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) for allegedly possessing assets that far exceeded his legitimate salary and allowances. As part of the proceedings, the ACB seized a house in Secunderabad, a commercial plot in Gachibowli, a luxury vehicle, and a number of gold jewellery items.

The charge sheet and the allegations

According to the charge sheet filed by the ACB, Mr S. S. has been in service with the Telangana State Transport Department (TSTD) for more than 18 years. During that time he allegedly amassed a portfolio of property and high‑value goods that was not commensurate with his earnings as a transport official. The ACB’s investigation traced a chain of illicit income that appears to have come from a number of “private transport operators” who were purportedly granted preferential contracts by Mr S. S. in exchange for bribes. The alleged benefits included a luxury car (a white 2020 Maruti‑Ciaz), a plot of land in the high‑rise area of Gachibowli, a residential house on the Secunderabad–Nampally corridor, and several pieces of gold jewellery that, according to the ACB, were worth more than ₹2.5 million.

The official’s wife, Ms S. S., has also been named in the case, although the ACB has not formally charged her. She allegedly benefited indirectly through ownership of the house and the plot, as well as receiving a portion of the bribe proceeds. The PCA, which allows the prosecution to seize assets in a disproportionate‑assets case, is being used to recover the funds that the ACB claims were ill‑earned.

Asset seizure

On 18 March 2025, the ACB seized the following assets on behalf of the state:

The seizure was carried out by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under a warrant issued by the Telangana High Court, following a recommendation from the ACB. The assets were placed under the “seized property” register of the court and will be auctioned once the case concludes, with proceeds directed to the state treasury.

The procedural backdrop

The Telangana ACB was constituted in 2018 to bring more transparency into the use of public funds. It has since played a central role in tackling corruption in the state’s public sector, with a focus on the “disproportionate assets” regime that has been popularized by the PCA. The ACB’s mandate is to investigate cases where the assets held by a public servant exceed the amount that can be reasonably expected from his salary and official allowances. The board typically coordinates with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the ED, and the state police in its investigations.

In this case, the ACB’s investigation began in late 2024, following a complaint lodged by a whistle‑blower within the TSTD. The complaint alleged that Mr S. S. had repeatedly over‑charged transport operators and used his position to award them contracts at inflated prices. The whistle‑blower supplied documents that were subsequently verified by the ACB’s auditors.

The reaction from the transport sector

The transport community has largely been silent, with most of the unions and professional bodies refusing to comment. The TSTD has acknowledged that it is “reviewing the complaint” but has not released any statements regarding Mr S. S. specifically. A spokesperson for the Telangana Transport Workers’ Union said that they would “observe the development of the case closely” and that they “hope justice is served promptly.”

On the other hand, a small group of transport operators who had allegedly benefited from the alleged favoritism have expressed disappointment. One operator, who identified himself only as “Mr K” (age 54), said that the seizure of Mr S. S.’s assets “will serve as a reminder that no one can stay above the law.”

Wider context and implications

The seizure of Mr S. S.’s property follows a string of anti‑corruption moves by the Telangana government. In 2023, the ACB booked two former municipal councilors for “unaccounted assets.” In 2024, the ACB seized a luxury apartment belonging to a former health‑department bureaucrat. Each of these cases underscored the state’s commitment to using the PCA’s provisions to recover ill‑earned wealth.

The ACB’s action is also viewed as a message to other public officials, particularly in the transport sector, that “disproportionate assets” cases can have swift and severe repercussions. The legal process will now move forward under the jurisdiction of the Hyderabad High Court, which will adjudicate whether the seizure of assets is justified and whether Mr S. S. and Ms S. S. face criminal charges. If convicted, Mr S. S. could face a prison term of up to 10 years and a fine equal to the value of the assets seized.

Conclusion

The Telangana ACB’s booking of Mr R. S. S., a senior transport‑department official, and the seizure of his house, plot, vehicle and jewellery mark a significant development in the state’s ongoing anti‑corruption drive. The case illustrates the effectiveness of the PCA’s “disproportionate assets” regime and the ACB’s growing role in safeguarding public funds. As the legal proceedings continue, all eyes will be on the Hyderabad High Court to see whether the state’s action stands up to judicial scrutiny, and whether Mr S. S. will ultimately face punishment for allegedly amassing wealth through corruption.