BHOPAL: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) against former constable of the Madhya Pradesh State Road Transportation Department, Saurabh Sharma, and his associate, Chetan Singh Gaur, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This action follows the Bhopal unit of Lokayukta’s Special Police Establishment (SPE) filing an FIR and recovering assets worth crores from their residential premises.
On December 19 and 20, the Lokayukta conducted search operations that revealed substantial assets believed to be disproportionate to Sharma’s income. An official release from the SPE, issued on Saturday, confirmed the case against Sharma for acquiring property beyond his financial means.
At Sharma’s residence, authorities discovered vehicles, household goods, jewelry, and cash valued at approximately Rs. 3.86 crore. At the office shared with Gaur, assets—including silver and cash—were valued at around Rs. 4.12 crore. In total, the assets found at both locations amount to approximately Rs. 7.98 crore.
In a separate operation the same day, the Income Tax Department seized around 54 kg of gold biscuits and nearly Rs. 10 crore in cash from an abandoned vehicle allegedly linked to Gaur, amid the Lokayukta’s investigation.
The Lokayukta has not yet decided whether to incorporate the seized cash and gold into its investigation. Officials have stated that the documents retrieved during the searches will be thoroughly examined, and further actions will follow as necessary. Additionally, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has initiated a parallel investigation into the gold biscuits, suspecting they may have been imported.
Speculation regarding the motivations behind this action has surfaced, with many alleging it stems from an internal power struggle among leaders within the ruling party.
Sharma, who took voluntary retirement from service a year ago after 12 years in the transport department, has since become involved in real estate. Officers indicate he began investing in property even while still in government service. Currently residing in Dubai with his family, he is expected to face detention by various agencies upon his return.
The Lokayukta investigation has uncovered evidence of Sharma’s property holdings in multiple districts, including Bhopal. Officers have also identified links to his investments in a hotel and a school, which is embroiled in controversy regarding the land on which it is constructed.
