Three agencies—the Enforcement Directorate (ED), income tax department, and the Special Police Establishment (SPE) of Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, the state’s anti-corruption ombudsman, remain in pursuit of Saurabh Sharma, who is connected to the recovery of Rs 11 crore in cash and 52 kilos of gold from an unattended vehicle in a village within Bhopal district on December 19.
Who is Sharma, and what are the claims regarding how he supposedly amassed such significant wealth? Sharma, also known as Cheenu, is a former civil services candidate who resides in Gwalior. He was seemingly associated with the same group that was getting ready for the civil services exams as the individual on whom the highly praised film 12th Fail is centered. He managed to reach the interview phase in the state civil service examination.
Following the death of his father, a government worker, Sharma was granted a position as a constable in the transport department on compassionate grounds. As per sources, he swiftly grasped the intricacies of working in a department infamous for corruption. His appointment on compassionate grounds became controversial, which led to Sharma ultimately resigning. He subsequently launched a construction company, purportedly a cover for different operations.
On December 19, the Lokayukta’s SPE conducted raids at two locations in Bhopal purportedly associated with Sharma, confiscating cash amounting to Rs 2.1 crore along with gold and silver. The actual recoveries took place later that evening when the income tax department got a tip about a vehicle stationed on a farm in Mendori village.
Income tax investigators had been active due to another prominent search they were carrying out on a contractor believed to have powerful connections in the government. The group arrived at the location where the local police had also come. The car, marked with a plate reading ‘Regional Transport Officer’ (RTO) and equipped with sirens on top, was seen and examined. Bags with Rs 11 crore in cash and 52 kilograms of gold were discovered.
During the raids on the two locations in Bhopal, the teams knew where the bullion was concealed, suggesting that someone familiar with the modus operandi had been giving tips.
Sharma has been unaccounted for. His request for anticipatory bail has been denied. On December 27, the ED conducted searches at locations reportedly associated with Sharma, his family, and business partners. The income tax department has sent him a notice, while the SPE of the Lokayukta has requested the state criminal investigation department to release a lookout notice for Sharma. Officials do not dismiss the possibility of Sharma being abroad.
