Hyderabad Water Board GM Held in Custody Over Disproportionate Assets

Hyderabad: The Anti-Corruption Bureau has taken into custody Saggam Anantha Lakshmi Kumar, General Manager of the Hyderabad Water Board, following his arrest in connection with a disproportionate assets investigation. A special ACB court in Nampally granted 14 days of judicial remand on Wednesday, with the official transferred to Chanchalguda Central Jail after completing medical formalities.

Lakshmi Kumar, who oversees the Red Hills Project Division-8, was apprehended after simultaneous ACB operations targeted nine locations on Tuesday connected to the officer, his family members, and alleged associates operating through proxy arrangements.

The raids at his residence in Mallapur yielded substantial cash holdings of ₹1.10 crore along with precious metals comprising 2.1 kilograms of gold and 9.2 kilograms of silver. Investigators also documented 18 acres of agricultural property spread across Nizamabad and Sangareddy districts.

Property records seized during the search revealed ownership of three residential apartments, six individual plots, and a standalone house situated in upscale residential complexes within Hyderabad. The registered value of these assets totalled ₹5.88 crore, though ACB estimates place their current market value significantly higher at over ₹100 crore.

During questioning, the officer could not furnish satisfactory responses regarding the source and accumulation of these assets, leading to his formal arrest on Wednesday morning. Investigators have indicated that Lakshmi Kumar's service period appears connected to the alleged unlawful acquisition of wealth.

The ACB intends to pursue custody orders for intensive questioning to uncover alleged connections with proxy holders, construction contractors, and other officials suspected to be part of a corruption network operating within Water Board operations. Authorities believe extended interrogation may establish links between the accused and other individuals involved in the alleged illegal asset accumulation scheme.