52 kilo gold, 10 crore cash recovered from abandoned vehicle in IT raid

In a major operation, the Income Tax Department, alongside the Bhopal Police, seized 52 kilograms of gold, worth approximately ₹42 crore, and ₹10 crore in cash from an abandoned car in the Mendori forest area of Bhopal. The vehicle was discovered on the night between Thursday and Friday, following a tip-off received by authorities around 2 AM. Upon inspection, the officers found seven bags inside the car, containing the gold and cash. A team of more than 100 police personnel, supported by 30 vehicles, was involved in intercepting the vehicle before it could leave the area. The car was registered in the name of Chetan Singh, a builder from Gwalior who is currently residing in Bhopal. Authorities are investigating the connection between the vehicle and the individuals responsible for abandoning it.

This seizure has become a focal point of an ongoing investigation into Saurabh Sharma, a former RTO constable, and his associate Chandan Singh Gaur, who are under investigation for possession of assets disproportionate to their known income. On Thursday, the Lokayukta’s Special Police Establishment (SPE) raided the residences of Sharma and Gaur, uncovering ₹2.5 crore in cash, along with gold, silver jewelry, and property documents. The total value of these assets is estimated to exceed ₹3 crore. Sharma, who took voluntary retirement from the Transport Department a year ago, has since entered the real estate sector. Investigations have revealed multiple properties and investments in Bhopal and surrounding districts, including a hotel and a school.

Sharma, originally from Gwalior, joined the Transport Department under a compassionate appointment after the death of his father. Over his 12-year tenure, his lifestyle and assets underwent significant transformation, leading to suspicions of corruption. After retiring early, Sharma shifted his focus to real estate, where he expanded his portfolio of properties, many of which are under investigation for illegal land use. Complaints regarding a school allegedly built on reserved land have prompted further scrutiny. Additionally, his real estate dealings span multiple districts, with several of his properties linked to financial irregularities.

The gold and cash found in the abandoned vehicle are believed to be connected to Sharma and Gaur’s illicit wealth accumulation. According to investigators, the gold was being transported out of the state when it was intercepted. While the authorities have not yet identified the individuals responsible for abandoning the vehicle, they are working to track down the persons involved. The seizure of the gold and cash is part of a broader investigation into corruption and illegal financial dealings linked to Sharma and Gaur.

In conjunction with the raids on Sharma and Gaur’s properties, the Income Tax Department has conducted raids at 51 locations linked to real estate companies, including Trishul Construction, Quality Group, and Ishan Group, across Bhopal and Indore. These raids are part of a wider crackdown on financial irregularities, illicit land transactions, and corruption in the state. The ongoing investigation is focused on uncovering further illicit wealth linked to the real estate sector. Investigators are continuing to gather evidence, and more developments are expected as the probe advances.