Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has raided the properties of former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, uncovering illegal assets worth crores. The operations occurred in Bhopal, Gwalior, and Pune, resulting in substantial cash and property seizures.Key Takeaways
- New raids by the ED at Saurabh Sharma's properties
- Significant recoveries include cash and silver
- Investigation based on FIR from Lokayukta police
- Previous raids conducted in December 2024
- Involvement of Income Tax Department in the case
Bhopal, Jan 20 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a new series of raids at the residences of former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma and his associates, resulting in the recovery of illegal assets valued at several crores. These operations took place across multiple sites in Bhopal and Gwalior districts of Madhya Pradesh, as well as in Pune (Maharashtra) on January 17, according to an official statement from the ED released on Monday.
During these search operations, funds totaling Rs 30 lakh in bank accounts were frozen, and Rs 12 lakh in unexplained cash along with 9.9 kg of silver worth approximately Rs 9.17 lakh were confiscated, the statement detailed.
The agency also retrieved digital devices and property document copies during the raids.
Ongoing investigations into the matter are in progress.
These searches were based on an FIR filed by the Special Police Establishment (SPE) of the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police against Saurabh Sharma.
According to the FIR, an examination revealed that Saurabh Sharma has accumulated disproportionate assets worth crores in the names of his family members and affiliated firms and companies, the ED statement further elaborated.
Prior to this, the ED had executed raids at Saurabh Sharma and his associates’ premises on December 27, 2024.
In addition to the ED, the Income Tax Department and the Special Establishment Police (SEP) of the state Lokayukta have conducted separate searches at various locations associated with Sharma and his affiliates.
The initial recovery occurred during a Lokayukta raid last week, where anti-corruption officials found movable assets worth Rs 7.98 crore, including Rs 2.87 crore in cash and 235 kg of silver.
Thereafter, the Income Tax Department executed another raid, uncovering 52 kg of gold bars valued at Rs 40 crore and over Rs 11 crore in cash from an abandoned SUV in Bhopal.
Post the Lokayukta FIR, the ED has commenced a money laundering investigation against Saurabh Sharma, conducting raids in Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur on December 27, also securing financial documents, assets, and electronic data from laptops and computers at various locations.
