Former Madhya Pradesh constable found with assets worth Rs 8 crore

Bhopal: In a major crackdown on corruption, the Lokayukta Special Police Establishment (SPE) has seized assets worth Rs 7.98 crore from Saurabh Sharma, a former constable in Madhya Pradesh. The seized assets include Rs 2.87 crore in cash, 234 kilograms of silver, and other valuables.

Raids were conducted on December 18 and 19 at Sharma’s residence and office in Bhopal’s Arera Colony. According to Lokayukta Police Director General Jaideep Prasad, Sharma’s father, RK Sharma, was a government doctor who passed away in 2015. Following his death, Saurabh Sharma was appointed as a constable in the state transport department on compassionate grounds and voluntarily retired in 2023.

Officials allege that Sharma used corrupt means to accumulate significant wealth, including investments in a school and a hotel under the names of his mother, wife, sister-in-law, and associates Chetan Singh Gaud and Sharad Jaiswal.

During the raids at Sharma’s residence, officials recovered Rs 1.15 crore in cash, foreign currency, jewellery worth Rs 50 lakh, and vehicles valued at Rs 2.21 crore. Further searches at his office revealed Rs 1.72 crore in cash, 234 kilograms of silver worth Rs 2.10 crore, and other assets valued at Rs 3 crore.

Summons have been issued to Sharma, his family members, and associates for questioning. The Income Tax Department also seized over Rs 10 crore in cash and 50 kilograms of gold from a car owned by Gaud on the outskirts of Bhopal.

The investigation is ongoing, with officials scrutinising land documents and bank details linked to the case.

(with PTI inputs)