ACB probes assistant BC welfare officer over disproportionate assets

Vijayawada: Puram Balaji, Assistant BC Welfare Officer of Kadiri Division in Sri Sathya Sai district, is under the scanner of the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after officials unearthed assets worth about ₹3.60 crore allegedly disproportionate to his known sources of income.The ACB registered a fresh case against Balaji following an earlier trap case booked on Feb 5, 2026. Acting on the new allegations, officials launched simultaneous searches on April 20 at four locations, including his residences in Kadiri and Rayachoti.During the raids, investigators seized incriminating documents, property records and financial details pointing to large-scale asset accumulation. The assets identified include 11 house sites, two residential buildings, cash of ₹21.8 lakh, gold and silver ornaments valued at around ₹26.5 lakh, and bank deposits of approximately ₹37.5 lakh. Officials also recovered promissory notes worth ₹13 lakh, two cars — a Kia Seltos and a Maruti Swift Dzire — besides two motorcycles and other valuable household items.According to ACB sources, many of these properties were registered in the names of Balaji's family members, including his wife, daughters and father, with a majority located in the erstwhile YSR Kadapa district. Further searches and valuation are still in progress.Balaji, who joined govt service in 1987 and rose through promotions to his current post in 2016, has been serving in Kadiri Division since June 2023. Officials said he will be arrested after due procedure and produced before the Special Court for ACB cases in Kurnool.