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Synopsis

A Delhi court on Tuesday acquitted two daughters of former IAS officer and Uttar Pradesh chief secretary Akhand Pratap Singh in a case of amassing assets worth Rs 2.40 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Special Judge Namrita Aggarwal of Rouse Avenue Court acquitted Juhie Singh and Java Singh, noting that the prosecution could not prove the case against the former bureaucrat since he passed away on June 18, 2023, during trial when the evidence of witnesses was still going on.

The two women were accused of abetting the offence committed by their father.

The court said that since the case against their father was abated after his death, the charge of abetment against the daughters for aiding him would “definitely fail” because the prosecution could not establish that the funds acquired by the public servant were disproportionate to his known sources of income or not.

“Any allegation against a non-public servant for abetment of the main offence is also bound to fail for a simple reason that if disproportionate assets are not proved against the prime accused, then there cannot be any question of abetment of acquiring disproportionate assets or of acquiescence in keeping the said wealth,” the judge said.

According to the prosecution, Singh amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income in the form of immovable and movable properties in his own name and in the name of his family members, including his daughters.

It alleged that Singh earned “huge money” illegally during his service and laundered it by purchasing immovable assets in the name of his married daughters and members of his family.

He was also alleged to own a fleet of cars, lead an extravagant lifestyle, and spend huge amounts of money on the education and marriage of his daughters, the prosecution claimed.

Case Title: CBI v. Akhand Pratap Singh & Ors.