New Delhi, February 14
Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal has arrested three in the case of disproportionate assets case of Saurabh Sharma and others.
The accused have been identified by ED as Saurabh Sharma, Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Singh Gaur.
ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by Lokayukta, Special Police Establishment Bhopal M.P. u/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 (as amended in 2018) against Saurabh Sharma, retired constable, Transport Department, Bhopal, MP. It is revealed from the said FIR that Saurabh Sharma has amassed disproportionate assets worth crores of rupees in the name of his family members and associated firms/companies. Further, in a separate action, gold bar weighing 52 Kgs and cash of Rs. 11 crore were seized by Income Tax Department, Bhopal from the vehicle of Chetan Singh Gaur, a close associate of Saurabh Sharma.
During ED investigation, searches were conducted in this case in December and January in the residential premises of Saurabh Sharma, his family members, and his associates including Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Singh Gaur, various incriminating documents pertaining to immovable properties, investments made through various firms/ companies, etc. in the name of Saurabh Shama and his family members were found and seized. Immovable properties to the tune of Rs. 25 crore have been found to be invested in the name of family members/ friends/ firms etc. Movable assets to the tune of Rs 10 crore has been frozen by ED till now.
During the course of investigation, it is seen that Saurabh Sharma was appointed in MP State Transport department as constable in 2015, on compassionate ground. During the investigation, it is revealed that Saurabh Sharma has acquired huge assets disproportionate to known sources of income after getting post of Constable in RTO, MP Government. In connivance with Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal, he established firms/ companies and used its bank accounts and those of his family members to launder the Proceeds of Crime for investments in properties in the name of family members/ friends/ firms/ companies, ED noted.
