Pune: A Special CBI-ACB court in Pune on August 24 sentenced former GST superintendent Vivek Madhukar Dekate to four years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) and his wife, Lalita Dekate, to three years’ RI in a disproportionate assets case involving ₹ 38.17 lakh in assets allegedly beyond their known sources of income.
In default, they will undergo an additional six months’ and one month’s RI, respectively. Special Judge Rajendra R Mendhe pronounced the judgment, convicting Dekate under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Lalita under Section 109 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) read with the relevant anti-corruption provision. The court imposed fines of ₹ 3.50 lakh on Vivek and ₹ 5,000 on Lalita.
The prosecution initially assessed the disproportionate assets at ₹ 32.15 lakh, or 97.85% of known income. After investigation, the amount was revised to ₹ 38.17 lakh, or 108.48%. The court found that the couple’s assets rose from ₹ 32.70 lakh at the beginning of the check period to ₹ 80.32 lakh at the end. Their income was assessed at ₹ 35.19 lakh and expenditure at ₹ 25.75 lakh, leaving likely savings of ₹ 9.44 lakh.
The court rejected the explanations and held that the couple had failed to satisfactorily account for their assets. Rejecting the plea, the court observed, “It is pertinent to mention that the offence proved against the accused is very serious and against the society. The act of a person to amass property by corrupt means causes prejudice to the society at large.”
However, Dekate’s wife was granted bail by same court so that she can file appeal before higher court in thirty days.
The judgment states that Vivek “intentionally enriched himself & his wife illicitly” during the check period.
