The anti-corruption branch of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a second First Information Report (FIR) against a Superintendent of GST and Central Excise, alleging possession of disproportionate assets amounting to ₹20.40 lakh.
The fresh case marks a significant escalation in an ongoing probe against the officer, following earlier bribery allegations.
The accused officer, K.N. Annadurai, posted in the Dharmapuri range, had previously come under the scanner in 2024 when the CBI registered a bribery case against him. He was allegedly caught along with another GST inspector while demanding a bribe of ₹5 lakh, along with a monthly payment of ₹10,000, from a private firm in exchange for clearing GST dues of approximately ₹1.5 crore.
During the investigation of the bribery case, the CBI conducted searches at Annadurai’s residence in Krishnagiri and other associated premises. Several documents and financial records were seized during these operations. Subsequent scrutiny of the material led investigators to suspect that the officer had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
According to the latest FIR, Annadurai’s total assets witnessed a steep rise over a five-year period. His assets reportedly increased from around ₹42 lakh in 2019 to approximately ₹1.2 crore in 2024. In contrast, his known income during the same period stood at about ₹78 lakh, while his expenditure was estimated at ₹65 lakh. The discrepancy between income, expenditure, and asset accumulation formed the basis for the fresh case.
The FIR further notes that a portion of the assets included household appliances purchased in cash, as well as gold, silver, and bronze items allegedly received as gifts. Investigators are examining whether these acquisitions were legitimate or linked to unlawful gains.
To initiate a separate disproportionate assets case based on the evidence uncovered, the CBI had sought general consent from the state government in November last year. Following this request, the state’s Home Department issued a Government Order in March granting the required consent, enabling the agency to formally register a new FIR and proceed with a detailed investigation.
The case is currently under further probe, with the CBI expected to examine financial trails, asset valuations, and possible links to illicit transactions as part of its ongoing anti-corruption crackdown.
