MP Assembly Walkout: Congress Demands CBI Inquiry in Saurabh Sharma Case
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The Congress party staged a walkout in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, demanding a CBI investigation into the Saurabh Sharma case, alleging government interference. Opposition leaders criticized the handling of the case, calling for impartial oversight and transparency in the investigation process.
Key Takeaways
- Congress demands a CBI inquiry into Saurabh Sharma's case.
- Accusations of government interference in the investigation.
- Calls for Supreme Court oversight to ensure impartiality.
- Concerns about the lack of thorough investigation by Lokayukta police.
- Debate highlights tensions between ruling party and opposition.
Bhopal, March 20 (NationPress) The Congress party executed a walkout from the Madhya Pradesh Assembly on Thursday, accusing the government of meddling in the ongoing investigation concerning the high-profile case of Saurabh Sharma, a transport department constable whose mysterious wealth has captured national attention. They have called for the matter to be referred to the CBI.
The opposition has maintained that the investigation should be conducted under the oversight of the Supreme Court to guarantee impartiality.
During a Call Attention Motion initiated by Congress members in the Legislative Assembly, the Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar launched a fierce critique of the government's handling of the case.
He charged the State Lokayukta police with inadequately investigating the gold and cash associated with the case, which he claimed compelled the Income Tax Department to intervene.
Singhar asserted that the removal of Transport Commissioner D.P. Gupta on December 20, 2024, was merely a symbolic action and demanded more stringent measures, including suspension and the filing of a First Information Report (FIR).
Through their Call Attention Motion, Congress sought clarity on how Saurabh Sharma became the center of a multi-agency investigation involving the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Income Tax Department (IT), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Lokayukta police. They also probed into the ownership of 52 kilograms of gold and ₹11 crore in cash recovered from an abandoned Innova vehicle in Mendori village near Bhopal in December 2024.
The debate heated up as Singhar expressed concerns regarding the lack of consultation with the Additional Chief Secretary of the State Transport Department during the investigation. He highlighted critical evidence, including an abandoned Innova car, a farmhouse, gold, and cash, demanding transparency on why the police had not revealed ownership details.
Saurabh Sharma’s issues began with a raid in December 2024 that unveiled assets worth nearly ₹8 crore, comprising cash, jewelry, and property documents. The discovery of the abandoned Toyota Innova, loaded with gold and cash, further exacerbated the controversy.
Singhar also pointed out the presence of a diary with the signature of Dashrath Patel, suggesting it could serve as crucial evidence. He questioned why Patel and Sanjay Srivastava, the former Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Transport Minister, had not yet been called for questioning.
“If this involves the hard-earned money of the people, the truth must be revealed,” he emphasized.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya defended the government, claiming that the Assembly’s operations adhere to established protocols, not dictated by the Supreme Court.
This statement attracted strong criticism from Singhar, who accused Vijayvargiya of showing disrespect towards the judiciary. The discussion escalated into a heated confrontation, with both ruling and opposition MLAs vocally clashing.
In response to the allegations, Minister Uday Pratap Singh refuted claims of government interference. He clarified that no diary had been seized during the Lokayukta raid and stressed that a competent agency was already probing the matter.
Singh remarked that multiple instances of corruption had been exposed, with guilty parties now imprisoned.
“The investigation should not be questioned,” he stated.
Singh also addressed concerns regarding Saurabh Sharma, explaining that his voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) status exempted him from direct departmental action.
He assured the Assembly of the government’s dedication to transparency, citing regular investigative checks on highways and other locations.
“We are implementing measures to monitor investigations from Bhopal,” he concluded.
The debate highlighted the escalating tensions between the ruling party and the opposition, with the call for a CBI probe remaining a contentious issue. Congress MLA Hemant Katare further fueled the discourse by raising inquiries about fake appointments and unexplained wealth, keeping the Assembly in a state of alert.
