Lokayukta Presents Saurabh Sharma in Bhopal Court
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Synopsis
On January 28, 2023, former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma was presented in a Bhopal district court facing charges of disproportionate assets. Authorities discovered significant amounts of gold and cash during a raid, and investigations continue as two of his aides remain at large.
Key Takeaways
- Saurabh Sharma, former RTO constable, was presented in court.
- Authorities seized 52 kg of gold and Rs 11 crore in cash.
- Interrogations are ongoing with no threats to Sharma reported.
- Sharma's co-accused are still at large.
- Multiple agencies continue investigations across several cities.
Bhopal, Jan 28 (NationPress) Former RTO constable Saurabh Sharma, who is facing allegations of disproportionate assets, was brought before a Bhopal district court on Tuesday evening.
Authorities seized 52 kg of gold and Rs 11 crore in cash during a raid conducted last month. The investigation also revealed several illegal properties associated with Sharma.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sharma was detained by the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police while he was heading to court to surrender. He was subsequently presented to the court later that same day.
The Director General of Lokayukta police, Jaideep Prashad, stated that Sharma is under interrogation and will be presented to the court within the legally required 24-hour timeframe.
In response to concerns expressed by Sharma's legal representatives regarding potential life threats, Prashad assured that “There is no threat to Sharma or his associates. The agencies are here to assist the public, not to intimidate them.”
Sharma's attorneys had previously claimed that both he and his associate, Sharad Jaiswal, were encountering threats from unidentified sources. However, Prashad refuted these allegations, asserting that their safety is not compromised.
During a press conference, Prashad revealed that Sharma was arrested based on intelligence regarding his location in Bhopal. When asked about Sharma's whereabouts before his arrest, Prashad mentioned that it was premature to disclose such information as the investigation is still active.
When Sharma's lawyers requested video documentation of the interrogation, Prashad confirmed, “No, video recording will not be done.”
Prashad also mentioned that efforts are being made to capture Sharma’s co-accused, as two of his associates -- Sharad Jaiswal and Chetan Gaur -- remain at large.
In the last two and a half months, various agencies, including the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta, Income Tax Department, and Enforcement Directorate, have executed raids at multiple sites in Bhopal, Gwalior, and Jabalpur.
In December, the Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at over 12 locations tied to Sharma's relatives suspected of involvement in the matter.
Sharma began his career in the Transport Department in 2016 as a constable on compassionate grounds after the demise of his father in 2015. Following 12 years of service, he voluntarily retired in 2023, even as an investigation against him was ongoing.
Meanwhile, Sharma's aide, Sharad Jaiswal, expressed his willingness to surrender if the state government guaranteed his safety.
