Bhopal, Dec 24: – Assets worth nearly ₹8 crore, including ₹2.87 crore in cash and 234 kilograms of silver, have been seized from a former constable in Madhya Pradesh, according to the Lokayukta’s Special Police Establishment (SPE). The raids, conducted on December 18 and 19, targeted the residence and office of Saurabh Sharma, a former constable with the state transport department.
During the searches in Bhopal’s upscale Arera Colony, authorities discovered ₹1.15 crore in cash, jewellery worth ₹50 lakh, and vehicles valued at ₹2.21 crore. At Sharma’s office, ₹1.72 crore in cash, 234 kilograms of silver worth ₹2.10 crore, and other assets totaling ₹3 crore were also uncovered, bringing the total movable assets to ₹7.98 crore.
Saurabh Sharma, who joined the transport department in 2015 on compassionate grounds after his father’s death, took voluntary retirement earlier this year. Lokayukta officials allege that Sharma accumulated wealth through corrupt means, channeling funds into investments such as a school and a hotel under the names of family members and close associates, including his mother, wife, sister-in-law, and partners Chetan Singh Gaud and Sharad Jaiswal.
Summons have been issued to Sharma and his associates for questioning. Meanwhile, the Income Tax Department has seized ₹10 crore in cash and 50 kilograms of gold from a car owned by Gaud near Bhopal. Documents relating to bank accounts and property transactions found during the raids are under scrutiny.
Jaideep Prasad, Director General of Lokayukta Police, commented, The former cop used money earned through corrupt means to amass huge assets, including setting up a school and hotel in the name of family and close associates. Moveable assets of ₹7.98 crore have been found so far.
The raids mark a significant crackdown on corruption in the state, with authorities expected to widen their investigation into the network of accomplices and financial irregularities.
