Did EOW Conduct Raids on Indore Municipal Official Over Disproportionate Assets?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- EOW is actively investigating allegations of corruption within the Indore Municipal Corporation.
- Raids were conducted at both the Horticulture Department and the official's home.
- Significant assets and incriminating documents were seized during the operations.
- This is part of a broader trend of accountability measures against public officials.
- Public trust in local governance is at stake as investigations continue.
Indore, June 17 (NationPress) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Madhya Pradesh Police conducted extensive raids on various locations associated with a senior figure from the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), following serious allegations of accumulating disproportionate assets.
Responding to a formal complaint, a team from the EOW’s Indore division targeted the IMC’s Horticulture Department, thoroughly investigating the office of Assistant Superintendent Chetan Patil. This operation persisted for over an hour, concluding with the office being sealed off.
Concurrently, another EOW team, with police support, arrived at Patil’s residence in the affluent Gulmohar area of the city, initiating a comprehensive search that was ongoing at the time of this report.
As per official sources, this operation was based on reliable information suggesting that Patil had accrued wealth surpassing his legitimate income sources. Initial investigations reveal that he had acquired numerous properties under his and his family members' names, not only in Indore but also across other regions of Madhya Pradesh.
Insiders familiar with the probe informed IANS that Patil, who has been a part of the Horticulture Department for several years, had previously faced internal accusations regarding financial misconduct, including the suspected misappropriation of public funds.
During the raids, EOW officials confiscated several incriminating materials, such as property documents, bank account information, and electronic devices like laptops. Significant quantities of cash and valuable items, including jewellery, were also seized. A detailed assessment of the confiscated assets, bank lockers, and financial records is currently in progress.
This marks the second instance of such action against an IMC official in recent months. In March, the EOW had conducted similar raids on properties associated with Rajesh Parmar, a suspended Assistant Revenue Officer of the corporation, regarding analogous accusations of disproportionate assets.