ACB Raids Properties of Senior Politician Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya in Banswara
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) launched surprise searches on Tuesday at multiple locations connected to senior politician Mahendrajeet Singh Malviya. This action came just days after Malviya announced his high-profile return to the Congress party from the BJP.
Searches Target Petrol Pumps and Stone Crusher Plant
ACB teams inspected two petrol pumps and a stone crusher plant located in Banswara district. Sources confirmed that these properties are owned by Malviya and his family members. The bureau examined a wide range of documents during the operation.
Officials scrutinized records related to land ownership, contractual agreements, financial transactions, and operational details. Employees at all three sites faced questioning from the investigating teams.
ACB Maintains Silence on Investigation Details
The sudden flurry of investigative activity raised many questions, but ACB officials provided no immediate answers. They remained tight-lipped about whether the searches resulted from a specific complaint against Malviya.
The bureau did not issue any formal statement regarding the purpose of the searches or any potential findings. Attempts to contact ACB Director General Govind Gupta for clarification proved unsuccessful as of late Wednesday.
On-Site Questioning and Document Collection
At the first petrol pump, ACB officers questioned the manager when he arrived at the location. Similar searches occurred at the second petrol pump, with teams spending approximately thirty minutes at each site.
Investigators specifically sought documents linked to the petrol pumps and their associated land parcels. The thorough examination covered all aspects of the properties' operations and ownership history.
Malviya's Response to the Searches
Malviya was reportedly traveling to Jaipur when the searches began. Upon learning about the ACB action, he immediately returned to Banswara. The politician addressed local reporters upon his return.
Malviya stated clearly that ACB officials did not question him personally during the searches. He made this declaration while the investigation continued at his family's properties.
The timing of these searches, following closely on the heels of Malviya's political party switch, has generated significant attention. The ACB's silence leaves many wondering about the investigation's origins and potential outcomes.
