SHAKEEL AKHTER
Ranchi, Nov. 7: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), which initiated a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) some time back into allegations of irregular land purchases by former Ranchi Deputy Commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray, has so far found no evidence of wrongdoing, according to official sources.
The investigation was launched following a recommendation from the Income Tax Department, which had examined a complaint about land and property purchases made during Ray’s tenure as Ranchi DC between February 2018 and July 2020.
Income Tax probe led to ACB inquiry
In 2020, the Income Tax Department received a complaint alleging that Ray had bought land in the names of his family members and relatives in Kutihatu Mauza (Namkum Circle) and Tupudana Mauza of Ranchi. After a preliminary examination, the department forwarded its findings to the Jharkhand government, which allowed the ACB to initiate a PE to verify the claims.
The ACB subsequently investigated the transactions but has not confirmed any financial irregularities or misuse of official position, sources said.
Details of the land and property transactions
As per official documents, more than two acres of land worth over ₹2 crore were purchased between 2019 and 2020. The land in Kutihatu Mauza was bought from M/s Pranami Builders Pvt. Ltd., headed by Vijay Agarwal, while the flats in Tupudana were purchased from M/s Srijan Infra, associated with Nitesh Shahdev.
Each sale deed shows a payment of ₹11.40 lakh for 10 decimals of land, all linked to Khata No. 62 and Plot No. 1593. The documents also mention Mrs. Kumkum Ray, wife of the former DC, as guardian in several of the transactions. A separate flat worth ₹49.57 lakh was also purchased in her name from Srijan Infra.
Property holders named in documents
| Name | Land Details |
| Rai Adyapat Ray (S/O Rai Mahimapat Ray) | Khata 62, Plot 1593 – 10 Decimal |
| Avya Ray (D/O Rai Mahimapat Ray) | Khata 62, Plot 1593 – 10 Decimal |
| Arnav Gupta (S/O Dr. Mayank Gupta) | Khata 62, Plot 1593 – 10 Decimal |
| Darsh Gupta (S/O Dr. Mayank Gupta) | Khata 62, Plot 1593 – 10 Decimal |
| Advait Amrit Gundlapudi (S/O G.V. Shashidhar) | Khata 62, Plot 1593 – 10 Decimal |
| Devina Amrit Gundlapudi (D/O G.V. Shashidhar) | Khata 62, Plot 1593 – 10 Decimal |
| Mrs. Kumkum Ray (D/O Madho Saran Sinha) | Khata 135, Plot 1014 – One Acre |
No irregularities confirmed
After scrutinising sale deeds, registration details, and payment records, the ACB has not found evidence of benami transactions or financial misconduct so far.
“The enquiry did not confirm any irregularities in the purchase and sale of the land,” an official familiar with the investigation said.
However, officials added that the PE remains open, and the ACB is continuing to verify the source of funds and compliance with procedural norms.
Part of wider anti-corruption campaign
The case forms part of Jharkhand’s wider anti-corruption campaign, under which several IAS officers have come under scrutiny. The ACB has already arrested three senior bureaucrats, including Vinay Choubey, this year in separate corruption cases.
Rai Mahimapat Ray, a 2011-batch IAS officer, is currently serving on central deputation as a Senior Digital Development Specialist at the World Bank.
Officials said that while the probe has not established any wrongdoing, the ACB will continue to examine financial records before submitting its final report to the government.
