The case of ‘crorepati’ ex-MP RTO constable and his earnings has left people shocked and now a multi-agency probe has been launched in the matter.
The Enforcement Directorate has launched its own investigation in the corruption allegations against a former Madhya Pradesh transport department constable, Saurabh Sharma after Lokayukta’s raid left everyone shocked following the recovery of jewellery, gold and solver worth crore of rupees from his and his associates’ places in the state.
Now, in a fresh twist, it has been alleged that there’s some inconsistency in the probe done by Lokayukta. As per a report in NDTV, court documents show that a DSP-level Lokayukta officer mentioned the seizure included Rs 28.5 lakh in cash, jewellery worth over Rs 5 lakh, and silver valued at Rs 21 lakh – which amounts to a total of Rs 55 lakh.
However, earlier the Lokayukta claimed the haul they dug out amounted to the tune of Rs 7.98 crore. The ED is meanwhile conducting raids across Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur, news agency PTI reported. The federal agency is looking at the potential money laundering angle under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
3 Serious Lapses in Probe Found
Bhopal, MP: Former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma was found with 2 quintals of silver hidden beneath office tiles, worth over ₹2.59 crore. A 17-hour Lokayukta raid revealed property documents and 52 kg of gold, exposing his transition from constable to builder pic.twitter.com/FQoMOrjBHf
— IANS (@ians_india) December 21, 2024
Additionally, the residence of his associate, Sharad Jaiswal, was left unsearched, despite Jaiswal’s implication in the case.
The other major miss was the failure in locating the Innova car which reportedly was carrying 52 kilograms of gold and Rs 11 crore in cash, the NDTV report added. It was abandoned in the Mendori jungle and was seen in a CCTV camera near Sharma’s residence. The owner, Chetan Singh claims he hired a driver and so far, it is a mystery who was driving it if not Chetan himself.
The vehicle, later abandoned in the Mendori jungle, was captured on CCTV passing near Sharma’s residence during the raids. While the car’s registered owner, Chetan Singh, claims to have hired a driver, the identity of the driver remains undisclosed.
In a latest development, the Income Tax Department’s discovery of 52 kg of gold and ₹10 crore in cash from an abandoned vehicle near Mandora village has been linked to the Lokayukta’s raid on former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma and his associate, Chandan Singh Gaur.
The… pic.twitter.com/CVbsBC5bhx
— Mirror Now (@MirrorNow) December 20, 2024
As per the report, a vehicle that was parked near Sharma’s office was also not checked during the raid, which is another serious lapse on the part of investigating agency. ED probe so far has revealed that the vehicle may have given then some concrete leads.