What Did EOW Discover in the MP Tribal Welfare Office?

Bhopal/Jabalpur, July 23 (NationPress) In a shocking turn of events, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Madhya Pradesh has discovered a tiger hide during an anti-corruption operation at the home of Tribal Welfare Department Deputy Commissioner Jagdish Prasad Sarwate.

The investigators seized 56 bottles of expensive liquor valued at Rs 1.8 lakh, 17 real estate properties worth Rs 3 crore, and 10 additional assets registered under his mother's name, alongside questionable investments in various financial schemes.

The tiger skin, estimated to be nearly thirty years old and repurposed as a seat cover, was found at Sarwate’s ancestral residence in Aadhartal.

Subsequently, the EOW has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the officer under multiple sections of the law.

Additionally, the Forest Department has initiated legal proceedings under Sections 9 and 50 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which can lead to a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. The district forest officer, Rishi Shukla, confirmed the authenticity of the hide, which measures approximately 5 feet 5 inches in length and 5 feet 3 inches in width.

Investigators are now examining its origins and how it came into Sarwate’s possession, with separate questioning by forest officials anticipated soon. The discovery of the tiger skin adds a significant layer to the ongoing corruption investigation against Sarwate.

On July 22, EOW teams executed raids on multiple properties associated with him in Jabalpur, Bhopal, and Sagar. The operation revealed disproportionate assets exceeding Rs 6.75 crore, while his officially declared income is merely Rs 1.56 crore.

Among the confiscated items were 17 property documents, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and 56 bottles of high-end liquor. Properties registered under Sarwate’s mother and brother are also under investigation, raising concerns about potential benami holdings.

Having served extensively in Jabalpur, Sarwate currently holds additional responsibilities at the Pre-Examination Training Centre and is now subjected to two investigations - one under the Prevention of Corruption Act and another under wildlife protection statutes.

Officials suspect there may be more concealed assets in bank lockers, which are still under scrutiny. The case has incited outrage among conservationists and public officials, with legal experts emphasizing that possession of a tiger skin, even if decades old, qualifies as a serious wildlife offense.

If found guilty, Sarwate could face prosecution under various sections of the Wildlife Protection Act, including 9, 39, 50, and 51.

The EOW and the Forest Department are collaborating to uncover financial irregularities and wildlife offenses, representing one of the most notable cases of its nature in recent years.