560% more wealth, 2 resorts, 2.5 kg gold, Rs 26 lakh cash, Mahindra Scorpio: MP officer found with Rs 7.6 crore in disproportionate assets

The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta's Special Police Establishment (SPE) has unearthed assets worth around Rs 7.6 crore linked to Sanjeev Kumar Sharma, assistant director of Satpura Tiger Reserve, in a disproportionate assets case. The findings came during searches at his government residence and office in Pachmarhi, as well as his private residence in Chhindwara, on Saturday. According to a TOI report, multiple teams from the Lokayukta SPE's Bhopal division conducted the searches and recovered cash, gold and silver jewellery, besides identifying vehicles, hospitality properties and documents linked to land transactions.

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The agency's preliminary assessment suggested that Sharma's assets were significantly higher than his known sources of income. Officials have said the valuation of certain properties and examination of documents are still under way.

Lokayukta finds Rs 26 lakh cash, 2.5 kg gold jewellery at properties

Among the assets identified during the searches was cash amounting to Rs 26.36 lakh. Investigators also found gold jewellery weighing 2.528 kg, which was estimated to be worth approximately Rs 3.5 crore.

Silver weighing 1.656 kg was also found at the premises. Its estimated value was around Rs 2.94 lakh, according to the preliminary assessment.

The recovery of precious metals forms a significant part of the assets identified by the agency. However, officials are yet to complete the assessment of all the items and properties found during the operation.

Two hospitality properties worth Rs 3 crore identified

The Lokayukta SPE also identified two hospitality properties allegedly linked to Sharma during the searches.

These include:

• Ecotel Resort: Estimated value of approximately Rs 2 crore.
• Serenity The Villa: Estimated value of around Rs 1 crore.

The combined estimated value of the two properties is approximately Rs 3 crore. However, their final valuation is yet to be completed.

Investigators believe that the assessment of these hospitality properties, along with other assets, could affect the overall estimated value of the properties linked to the official.

Sharma's assets allegedly 560% higher than known sources of income

The Lokayukta SPE said its preliminary verification had initially indicated that Sharma possessed assets allegedly 228% higher than his known sources of income.

However, the searches reportedly brought to light assets estimated at approximately Rs 7.6 crore. Based on the agency's assessment, these were around 560% disproportionate to his known income.

The investigation began after the Lokayukta received confidential information alleging that Sharma had accumulated assets beyond his known sources of income. The information also suggested that some properties had allegedly been acquired in the names of his wife and other private individuals.

The agency subsequently conducted a preliminary verification before registering a case against him.

Mahindra Scorpio, KUV, Bullet among vehicles found

Apart from cash, jewellery and hospitality properties, investigators also identified several vehicles at the searched premises.

These included a Mahindra Scorpio, a Mahindra KUV, a Bullet motorcycle and a scooter. The combined estimated value of the vehicles was approximately Rs 31.2 lakh.

Household articles and other possessions were separately estimated to be worth around Rs 50 lakh.

The agency is examining the assets as part of its wider investigation into the alleged accumulation of wealth disproportionate to Sharma's known income.

Lokayukta seizes 28 documents linked to land transactions

During the searches, investigators also found documents relating to the purchase and sale of land. As many as 28 documents were seized for further examination.

The documents are expected to help investigators establish details of the transactions, ownership patterns and the value of properties allegedly linked to Sharma.

The Lokayukta SPE said the valuation of the hospitality properties and other assets, along with scrutiny of the land transactions, could further increase the estimated value of the assets identified so far.

The final assessment will depend on the findings of the ongoing examination and valuation exercise.

Case registered under Prevention of Corruption Act

Following the preliminary verification, the Lokayukta SPE registered a case against Sharma under Section 13(1)(b), read with Section 13(2), of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018.

The agency subsequently obtained search warrants from a court before deploying multiple teams at the three locations.

The operation was carried out following directions from Lokayukta director general Yogesh Deshmukh to intensify action against corruption. Deputy inspector general Manoj Kumar Singh guided the operation.

The teams were led by deputy superintendent of police Virendra Singh, who had conducted the preliminary verification, and DSP Ajay Mishra. DSP Bhaiyalal Prajapati and inspectors Rajni Tiwari, Ghanshyam Maskole and Neetu Kusaria also participated in the operation, along with other personnel from the Bhopal division.

The investigation is continuing, with officials examining the seized documents and completing the valuation of the assets identified during the searches.


Inputs from TOI