ED attaches ₹2 crore assets of Western Railway employee in Ahmedabad DA case
Synopsis
A Western Railway porter-cum-box boy allegedly built a ₹2.58 crore asset base on a government salary — and the ED has now moved to attach ₹2 crore of those properties under PMLA. The case, rooted in a Gujarat Police FIR, highlights how anti-corruption referrals from state forces are increasingly triggering federal money-laundering action against lower-rung public servants.
Key Takeaways
The ED's Ahmedabad Zonal Office provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹2 crore on 18 June under the PMLA, 2002 .
The accused, Prashant Rabri , served as a porter-cum-box boy with Western Railway from 1 January 2017 to 2 February 2021 .
Total disproportionate assets allegedly accumulated: approximately ₹2.58 crore , in his name and that of his wife Amul Rabari .
The ED action follows an FIR by Gujarat Police under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 .
A Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) has been issued; the case will be adjudicated by the competent PMLA authority.
Investigation remains ongoing to identify any additional assets linked to the alleged financial irregularities.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday, 18 June provisionally attached immovable properties worth approximately ₹2 crore belonging to a Western Railway employee in Ahmedabad, in a disproportionate assets (DA) case involving alleged accumulation of wealth beyond known sources of income. The action was initiated by the ED's Ahmedabad Zonal Office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
Who Is the Accused
The case centres on Prashant Rabri, who served as a porter-cum-box boy with Western Railway. According to the ED, Rabri allegedly amassed disproportionate assets valued at approximately ₹2.58 crore during his employment period between 1 January 2017 and 2 February 2021. The assets are stated to be registered in his name as well as in the name of his wife, Amul Rabari.
How the ED Got Involved
The ED initiated proceedings on the basis of a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Gujarat Police under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The FIR disclosed predicate offences scheduled under the PMLA, enabling the central agency to take cognisance of the matter and launch its own financial investigation.
Key Findings and Attachment Order
Following a detailed financial analysis and examination of property records, the ED concluded that a significant portion of the assets had been directly financed using proceeds of crime. Officials stated that 'these properties were acquired through illicit funds generated through corrupt activities.' Acting on these findings, the agency issued a Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) covering immovable properties valued at around ₹2 crore — identified as having been purchased using alleged illegal income.
What Happens Next
Further proceedings will continue under the PMLA framework, with the matter to be adjudicated by the competent authority. The investigation remains ongoing, with the agency working to determine the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities and identify any additional assets linked to the case. This action is part of the ED's broader push against corruption in public-sector employment, where disproportionate assets cases have increasingly been referred by state police forces for PMLA proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ED disproportionate assets case against the Western Railway employee?
The ED has provisionally attached immovable properties worth ₹2 crore belonging to Prashant Rabri, a former Western Railway porter-cum-box boy, who allegedly accumulated assets of approximately ₹2.58 crore disproportionate to his known sources of income between 2017 and 2021. The action was taken under the PMLA, 2002, by the ED's Ahmedabad Zonal Office.
Who is Prashant Rabri and what is he accused of?
Prashant Rabri is a former Western Railway employee who worked as a porter-cum-box boy. He is accused of acquiring disproportionate assets worth approximately ₹2.58 crore through alleged corrupt practices during his service period from 1 January 2017 to 2 February 2021. Assets are registered in his name and that of his wife, Amul Rabari.
What law was used to attach the properties?
The ED issued a Provisional Attachment Order under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The agency's jurisdiction was triggered by an FIR filed by Gujarat Police under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, which disclosed predicate offences scheduled under the PMLA.
What happens after the provisional attachment?
The case will proceed to adjudication before the competent authority under the PMLA framework. The ED's investigation is also continuing to determine the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities and identify any further assets linked to the case.
How much of Rabri's alleged assets have been attached?
The ED has attached immovable properties worth approximately ₹2 crore through the Provisional Attachment Order, out of a total alleged disproportionate asset base of approximately ₹2.58 crore.
