Wed Dec 24 14:43:32 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text, along with a brief summary:

Summary:

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Visakhapatnam has seized assets worth ₹1.09 crore belonging to former Additional Chief Urban Planner of VUDA, Pasuparthy Pradeep Kumar, his family, and a close associate. This action stems from an investigation into disproportionate assets acquired during his tenure, based on a case initially filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Kumar is accused of abusing his position to amass wealth beyond his known income, laundering the illicit funds through various accounts to purchase properties.

News Article:

Former VUDA Planner’s Assets Worth ₹1.09 Crore Seized in Corruption Probe

Visakhapatnam, December 24, 2025 – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Visakhapatnam announced today the provisional attachment of assets valued at ₹1.09 crore belonging to Pasuparthy Pradeep Kumar, former Additional Chief Urban Planner of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA), and his associates. The action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged disproportionate assets accumulated by Kumar during his time in public service.

The seized properties, including residential flats, plots of land, and bank balances, are held in the names of Kumar, his wife, his uncle, and Kona Simhadri, identified as a benami.

The ED’s investigation was initiated based on an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Vijayawada, which subsequently filed a chargesheet against Kumar under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The ACB alleged that Kumar, who served as Additional Chief Urban Planner from January 2018, abused his position between July 2005 and January 2018 to acquire assets exceeding his known sources of income. The ACB initially estimated the disproportionate assets at ₹1.85 crore.

“Our investigation revealed that illicit income was routed through multiple bank accounts and used to acquire properties, which were projected as untainted money,” stated an ED release. The ED now estimates the total proceeds of crime at ₹2.94 crore. The assets attached represent the differential amount from that previously calculated. The investigation is still active and ongoing.

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