MP: Forest officer’s assets worth Rs 7.6 crore unearthed in Lokayukta raid

Chhindwara/Pachmarhi: Two hotels and resorts, gold worth Rs 3.5 crore, cash of over Rs 26 lakh and documents related to 28 land transactions were among the assets worth around Rs 7.6 crore unearthed during a Lokayukta raid on the premises of a Madhya Pradesh forest department officer, an official said on Saturday.

The searches were conducted at the premises of Sanjeev Sharma, a Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) posted at the Satpura Tiger Reserve, in Pachmarhi and Chhindwara following a complaint of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

Preliminary verification had indicated that Sharma's assets were 228 per cent higher than his known income. However, calculations made on the basis of Saturday's search findings suggest that the figure could be as high as 560 per cent, Lokayukta DSP Virendra Singh said.

"During the searches, we recovered 28 documents and agreements related to land transactions. Documents of two hotels and resorts have also been found," Singh said.

The two properties include Ecotel Hotel and Resort in Matkuli, reportedly acquired in 2016-17 and estimated to be worth around Rs 2 crore, and Serenity The Villa in Pachmarhi, purchased in 2014 and valued at approximately Rs 1 crore.

The searches resulted in the recovery of Rs 26.36 lakh in cash, 2,527.924 grams of gold valued at around Rs 3.50 crore and 1,656 grams of silver worth approximately Rs 2.94 lakh.

Four vehicles valued at Rs 31.20 lakh and household articles worth around Rs 50 lakh have also been included in the preliminary assessment of the officer's assets.

"The valuation of the hotels, land, plots and shops is yet to be completed. Bank accounts, investments and other financial records are being examined, and the total value of the assets may increase further," Singh said.

The Lokayukta launched the operation around 7 am with two teams. A team led by Lokayukta SP Sunil Patidar searched Sharma's official residence and office in Pachmarhi, while another team searched his ancestral house in Professor Colony, Chhindwara.

At the Chhindwara residence, officials recovered Rs 3,01,800 in cash, 927.924 grams of gold and 356 grams of silver. From the government accommodation in Pachmarhi, they seized Rs 23.35 lakh in cash, 1,600 grams of gold and 1,300 grams of silver jewellery.

Two locked cupboards were also found at the ancestral house, with their keys reportedly in Sharma's possession. The searches were conducted after a special court in Narmadapuram issued a warrant.

Documents relating to properties in Chhindwara and Hoshangabad, including plots and shops, are being examined to establish the total extent of the officer's assets.

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