LUCKNOW – The Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB) of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a Regular Case against Avinash Tambe, a Section Officer at the CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research (IITR), for allegedly amassing wealth significantly beyond his legal income.
The FIR, registered on March 24, 2026, also names his wife, Pranali Tambe, for her alleged role in the offense.
The Investigation and “Check Period”
The case is the result of a financial scrutiny conducted during the investigation of a previous matter (RC0062024A0019). Investigators focused on a “check period” spanning from September 2022 to April 2023.
According to the complaint filed by CBI Inspector Akhilesh Tripathi, Tambe intentionally enriched himself illicitly during these eight months. The agency alleges that the officer’s assets grew by 180% relative to his known sources of income during this timeframe.
Financial Breakdown of Alleged Wealth
The CBI’s detailed report provides a stark contrast between Tambe’s official earnings and his actual holdings:
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- Total Income: During the check period, Tambe’s take-home salary amounted to ₹7,69,592.
- Total Expenditure: His household expenses were estimated at ₹2,56,630.
- Total Assets: By April 2023, his total movable and immovable assets reached ₹25,84,600.
- Disproportionate Amount: The agency found him in possession of ₹13,85,638 in unexplained wealth.
Specific Assets Under Scrutiny
The FIR highlights several significant financial holdings in Nagpur, Maharashtra, including:
- Cash Deposits: Approximately ₹12.31 lakh was found in Tambe’s SBI account (NEERI Branch), and over ₹6.66 lakh was deposited in his wife’s account (Surendra Nagar Branch).
- Real Estate: Immovable property includes agricultural land in Mauza Mendepathar, Nagpur, measuring 2.13 hectares, which was purchased for ₹6,86,000 in cash.
Legal Action
The accused have been booked under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), and Section 109 of the IPC (Abetment).
The investigation has been entrusted to Inspector Vikrant Tomer of the CBI ACB, Lucknow. The FIR was authorized by Shivani Tewari, Deputy Inspector General of Police and Head of Branch.
