New Delhi (20.02.2024): Former Union Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ramesh Abhishek (Retd IAS: 1982: BH), was raided by the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) in disproportionate asset case. Raids were conducted at Abhishek's multi-storey residence at Great Kailash II, New Delhi.
Abhishek had admitted to the Lokpal at having earned over Rs 2.7 crore as a professional consultancy fee in just 15 months since his retirement. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) too was conducting investigations against him while Lokpal directed the ED to probe into matters.
This amount is 119 times higher than his monthly salary as a government officer which was Rs 2.26 lakh at the time of his retirement. The revelation came into light after the officer mentioned his post-retirement income in his affidavit to the Lokpal. He was also controversial chief of the Forward Markets Commission who faced a slack from the Supreme Court in the NSEL spot exchange fiasco.
A complainant had told Lokpal and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) that more than 16 entities, including Amway India Enterprises, Dharampal Satyapal, One 97 Communications (Paytm), PAGAC III Holding IV (HK), Harsha Vardhana Singh, Atmanirbhar Digital India, Foundation, Social and Political Research Foundation, IDH Sustainable Trade Initiative and Aakhya Media Services Pvt Ltd among others were favoured by Abhishek.
These companies now feature as his clients and contribute to his income of over Rs 2.7 crore in the financial years 2020-21 and 2022-23. Interestingly, two of the clients, Lulu International Shopping Mall Pvt Ltd and PAGAC III Holding IV (HK) Ltd featured in the Panama Papers Leak.
