Bhopal: In a major breakthrough, the Income Tax Department seized 52 kg of gold worth ₹40.47 crore and ₹11 crore in cash from an abandoned car in the Mendori forest, Bhopal, late Thursday night. The operation was conducted following intelligence inputs during ongoing raids targeting real estate moguls and government officials.
The gold and cash were found in a locked Innova car (MP07BA0050) abandoned outside a house. Upon arrival, the IT team discovered about 100 policemen and 30 vehicles stationed near the scene, suggesting a simultaneous police probe. The IT officers broke the car’s window to retrieve the bags, revealing the stash of gold and cash inside.
Sources confirmed the car belonged to Chetan Gaur, a friend of former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, whose residence had recently been raided. Chetan claimed ignorance about the source of the gold and cash, despite admitting his ties to Sharma.
On December 19, Lokayukta police raided Sharma’s residence in Arera Colony, recovering ₹1.15 crore in cash, 500 grams of gold, jewellery worth ₹50 lakh, and property documents. Another ₹1.70 crore in cash was recovered from his office.
The IT department has expanded its investigation to examine whether the Mendori stash is linked to these prior raids or involves broader corruption networks. High-level officials, possibly including a Principal Secretary and a former Chief Secretary, are suspected to be involved.
Over the past two days, the IT department has raided 51 locations across Bhopal and Indore, targeting firms such as Trishul Construction, Quality Group, and Ishan Group. Most locations, including Neelbad and Mendori, are hotspots for influential bureaucrats and politicians.
The incident has sparked political uproar, with Congress leaders accusing BJP-led authorities of shielding influential figures. Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar criticized the IT operation, claiming, “52 kg of gold is a small matter. If real estate properties are searched thoroughly, gold in quintals and lands worth thousands of crores will be uncovered.” Singhar alleged links between builder Rajesh Sharma, the BJP government, and CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla dismissed the allegations, praising the government’s zero-tolerance policy under PM Modi. “This raid demonstrates how active our agencies are in rooting out corruption,” he said.
The joint investigation by the Income Tax Department and police is ongoing, with more revelations anticipated in the coming days. The recent appointments of new IT officers have intensified anti-corruption efforts, with officials hinting at uncovering deeper criminal networks.
For now, the ownership and intended use of the gold and cash remain a mystery, leaving the public awaiting answers in what could be one of Madhya Pradesh’s largest corruption crackdowns.
