Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Income Tax (IT) department has seized a whopping 52 kilograms of gold, valued at approximately ₹40.47 crore and Rs 10 crore cash from an abandoned car in the dense forests of Mendori in Bhopal on intervening night of Thursday and Friday.

Notably, the seizure comes hours after Lokayukta raided residence of former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma and and his associate, Chandan Singh Gaur in Arera Colony on Thursday morning. The Lokayukta sleuths seized Rs 2.5 crore cash and gold and silver jewels during the raid.

Sharma voluntary retired from the transport department last year and is said to be active in real estate business.

The seized gold and cash is likely to be related to Saurabh Sharma's close aide.

100 cops, convoy of 30 vehicles roped in for operation

A white-colored Innova Crysta—MP 07 BA 0050—was found stranded in an under-construction building in Mendori jungle on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. It is learned that the car is registered in the name of Chetan Gaur, who is on the target list of the Income Tax Department. It is also said that the vehicle carried a red plate displaying RTO on the bumper.

Gold bricks weighing 52 kg and bags full of cash (Rs 100 and Rs 500 notes adding to Rs 10 crore) were seized from the car.

According to information, the gold and cash were allegedly being transported out of the state when the IT department intercepted it. The operation to seize the gold involved over 100 police personnel and a convoy of 30 vehicles.

A senior officer, who was part of the operation, told the Free Press, "We received input from an unknown person that a vehicle is on the way, carrying huge cash and gold. Acting on the tip-off, we reached the spot." He said that the team recovered at least six to seven bags from the abandoned car in Mendori jungle. The bags were full of gold bricks and cash. Estimated Rs 10 crore cash is said to be recovered.

(With Inputs from Staff Reporter)