Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) in Bhopal conducted search operations on January 17 at several locations across Bhopal, Gwalior, and Pune (Maharashtra), in connection with the investigation of Saurabh Sharma and others.

The searches led to the discovery of cash, bank deposits, and jewellery worth approximately Rs 52 lakh, officials said on Monday.

The ED's investigation is based on an FIR registered by the Lokayukta, Special Police Establishment, Bhopal under sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988(as amended in 2018), against Saurabh Sharma, a retired constable of the Transport Department in Bhopal.

The FIR revealed that Sharma had amassed disproportionate assets worth several crores of rupees, which were held in the names of his family members and associated firms.

During the search operations, ED officials froze bank accounts with deposits totalling Rs 30 lakh, seized Rs 12 lakh in cash, and recovered 9.9 kg of silver valued at around Rs 9.17 lakh.

Digital devices and copies of property documents were also confiscated. The searches included properties linked to Dr. Shyam Agarwal and KK Arora in Madhya Pradesh, as well as premises in Pune related to Sharma.

The total value of the assets connected to Sharma and his associates, after four raids, is estimated to be around Rs 100 crore.