Andhra Officer Held In DA Case After ACB Unearths Crores In Gold, Property And Cash

The Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested Endowment Department Assistant Commissioner Kalingiri Santhi in a disproportionate assets case after carrying out simultaneous raids in Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam. The action came as part of a major anti-corruption crackdown on April 7, with investigators claiming they uncovered properties, gold, silver, cash and other valuables allegedly far beyond her known sources of income.

Simultaneous raids launched after "credible information"

The case was registered by AP ACB officials of the Vijayawada Range after they received what they described as "credible information" suggesting that Santhi had amassed wealth disproportionate to her lawful earnings. Acting swiftly, the agency launched coordinated searches at four different premises linked to the officer across Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam.

The searches covered Santhi's residence, a garment shop owned by her mother, her sister's residence, and another property in Visakhapatnam. Officials said the operation was planned as a simultaneous multi-location raid to prevent concealment of evidence and track the extent of the alleged assets.

Gold, silver, property papers and vehicles found during searches

During the searches, ACB teams reportedly seized several incriminating documents and gathered details of multiple movable and immovable assets allegedly connected to the officer.

Among the assets identified were a residential flat in Visakhapatnam and a G+2 building in Vinayawada. Officials also unearthed nearly 770 grams of gold jewellery and close to 3 kilograms of silver articles.

In addition, investigators found cash worth Rs 1.15 lakh, bank deposits of around Rs 3 lakh, a Volkswagen Polo car, a motorcycle, electronic gadgets and several other valuable items. Officials indicated that the valuation of all recovered material is still ongoing, and the final worth of the assets could rise further once the scrutiny is completed.

Officer was under suspension, awaiting fresh posting

Kalingiri Santhi had entered government service through the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission in 2020 and had worked in both Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada during her tenure in the Endowment Department.

According to officials, she had remained under suspension from July 2024 to March 2026. At the time the raids were conducted, she was reportedly awaiting a fresh posting.

Investigators are now expected to examine whether the properties and valuables recovered during the searches were acquired during her period of service and whether any benami links or associated financial trails emerge during the probe.

ACB books case under Prevention of Corruption Act

Following the raids, the ACB arrested Santhi and booked her under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, the provision that deals with public servants found in possession of assets disproportionate to their known lawful income.

After her arrest, she was produced before the Special Court for ACB Cases in Vijayawada. The court remanded her to judicial custody till April 21, following which she was shifted to the district jail.

Officials have made it clear that the investigation is far from over. With further scrutiny of documents, asset trails and valuation still underway, the overall size of the alleged disproportionate assets may increase in the coming days as the probe deepens.