MADURAI – The CBI Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Madurai, has registered a case against a retired Inspector of Central Excise/GST and his family members for allegedly amassing wealth totaling ₹1.42 crores, which is significantly disproportionate to their known sources of income.
The Investigation
The primary accused, Shri M. Dharmaraj, joined the Central Excise Department as an MTS in 1991 and retired as an Inspector on May 31, 2025. Following reliable source information, the CBI conducted a financial analysis for a “check period” spanning from January 1, 2014, to May 31, 2025.
The investigation revealed that during this decade-long window, Dharmaraj, along with his wife, Smt. Vani @ Kalaivani, and his son, Shri D. Prabhu Doss, acquired substantial assets that they could not satisfactorily account for .
Wealth Beyond Means
The CBI’s computation shows that the family’s wealth grew by over 143% beyond their legal income during the check period. Notable expenditures and assets identified in the FIR include:
- Property and Construction: Construction of a building at Varma Nagar, Trichy, valued at approximately ₹50 lakhs, and a commercial building at Amaravathi Nagar, Bodinayakanur, worth ₹40 lakhs.
- Business Ventures: Purchase of machinery for the “New V.S. Flour Mill” in Trichy for the son, valued at approximately ₹50 lakhs.
- Vehicles: A Tata Nexa car and an auto-rickshaw registered in the son’s name, along with a Bajaj two-wheeler.
- Real Estate: Multiple plots of land across Melachokkanathapuram and Pratiyur Village.
Financial Breakdown
The following table summarizes the CBI’s findings regarding the family’s financial standing during the check period:
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| Category | Value (in Rs.) |
| Assets at beginning (2014) | ₹3,69,198 |
| Assets at end (2025) | ₹84,45,984 |
| Total Income during period | ₹99,64,164 |
| Total Expenditure during period | ₹1,61,82,814 |
| Disproportionate Assets (DA) | ₹1,42,95,436 |
Legal Framework and Charges
The FIR notes that the family intentionally abetted the illicit enrichment of the public servant. Consequently, the CBI has invoked multiple legal provisions, including:
- Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended): Sections 13(2), 13(1)(e), and 13(1)(b).
- Indian Penal Code (IPC): Section 109 (Abetment).
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023: Section 49.
The case is currently being investigated by Inspector R. Geetha Periya Natchiar of the CBI, ACB, Madurai.