MP Lokayukta finds assets worth Rs 7.6 crore in forest official raids
The anti-corruption agency searched the homes and office of Satpura Tiger Reserve official Sanjeev Kumar Sharma.
The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta Special Police Establishment (SPE) raided the office, government residence, and private home of Satpura Tiger Reserve (STR) assistant director Sanjeev Kumar Sharma on Saturday. According to The New Indian Express, the searches in Pachmarhi and Chhindwara uncovered assets with a preliminary estimated value of Rs 7.6 crore.
Investigators recovered Rs 26,36,800 in cash, 2.528 kg of gold worth approximately Rs 3.5 crore, and 1.656 kg of silver valued at about Rs 2.94 lakh. The team also found household items worth Rs 50 lakh and four vehicles, including a Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra KUV, Royal Enfield Bullet, and a scooter, valued at Rs 31.2 lakh.
The probe has also brought two properties under scrutiny: Ecotel Resort, estimated at Rs 2 crore, and Serenity the Villa, valued at around Rs 1 crore. NewsX reported that 28 papers regarding land dealings were seized during the operation.
The action followed a complaint alleging that Sharma, his wife, and other individuals owned properties exceeding his legal income. While an initial inquiry by Deputy Superintendent of Police Virendra Singh suggested assets were 228 per cent above his income, the agency's current estimate is that assets are approximately 560 per cent more than his legal income.
A case has been registered against Sharma under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Officials stated that the total value of assets may increase once the resorts are formally valued and the land documents are studied.