₹3.02 crore seized from Sagar taxi driver's house; retired PWD engineer named
Synopsis
A routine social media tip led Sagar police to ₹3.02 crore stashed in a locked wardrobe at a taxi driver's home — and a retired PWD engineer now at the centre of the probe. With the Income Tax Department being looped in and the engineer denying ownership, the case raises sharp questions about unexplained wealth in Madhya Pradesh's public works ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
₹3,02,14,000 in cash was seized from taxi driver Saurabh Ahirwar's house in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh on Sunday .
The cash was found in a locked wardrobe; police opened the lock after no key was found at the premises.
Family members claimed the money belongs to retired PWD engineer Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar , currently a contractual CGM at MPRRDA, Bhopal .
Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar denied ownership and questioned why his name was linked to the seized cash.
The search was triggered by a social media photograph allegedly showing Saurabh Ahirwar holding a pistol; no firearm was recovered.
The Income Tax Department and other agencies are being informed for further investigation.
Police in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, have seized ₹3,02,14,000 in cash from the residence of taxi driver Saurabh Ahirwar in the Tili Tigadda area under Gopalganj police station limits, triggering an investigation into the source and ownership of the funds. The seizure, carried out on Sunday, is now being shared with the Income Tax Department and other concerned agencies.
How the Search Was Triggered
The operation began after police, during routine monitoring of social media accounts in Sagar, spotted a photograph purportedly showing Saurabh Ahirwar holding a pistol. Officials said photographs showing weapons were identified on two profiles, prompting action in the Motinagar and Gopalganj police station areas. No firearm was recovered from the premises. The family has claimed the object in the photograph was a gun-shaped lighter and not an actual pistol.
What Officers Found
During the search of Ahirwar's house, police discovered bags filled with cash inside a locked wardrobe. A currency-counting machine was brought to the spot, and the total was counted at ₹3,02,14,000. The wardrobe was found locked and the key could not be located at the house; police later opened the lock during the search itself.
Retired PWD Engineer Named by Family
Family members, during questioning, claimed the money belonged to their relative Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar, a retired Public Works Department (PWD) engineer from Bhopal currently serving on a contractual basis as a Chief General Manager (CGM) with the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRRDA). According to police, family members told investigators that Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar allegedly arrived at the house with his wife, placed the cash-filled bags inside the newly purchased wardrobe, and left with its key. Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar, however, denied that the cash belonged to him and questioned why his name was being linked to the money.
What the Police Said
Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania confirmed the seizure. 'Approximately ₹3 crore has been seized from the house. The cash has been secured, and investigators are verifying its source and ownership. Details will be shared with the Income Tax Department and other concerned agencies for further investigation,' Sujania said. Family members were questioned and subsequently released.
What Happens Next
Investigators are examining how the cash reached the house and whether it is connected to any illegal activity. Concerned agencies are expected to scrutinise financial records and other relevant evidence. Police are also continuing to verify the authenticity of the social media photograph that triggered the search. The case adds to a pattern of large cash recoveries in Madhya Pradesh that have drawn scrutiny from tax and anti-corruption authorities.
Point of View
A search, a locked container, and a retired government official whose name surfaces through family testimony. What stands out is the alleged MPRRDA connection — a road development corporation is precisely the kind of infrastructure body where cash accumulation, if proven, would point to systemic procurement irregularities rather than individual excess. The Income Tax Department's involvement is expected, but the more consequential question is whether the Enforcement Directorate steps in. Without that, large cash recoveries in MP have historically resulted in limited accountability.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cash was seized from the Sagar taxi driver's house?
Police seized ₹3,02,14,000 in cash from the house of taxi driver Saurabh Ahirwar in the Tili Tigadda area of Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. The amount was counted on the spot using a currency-counting machine.
Who is Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar and why is he connected to the case?
Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar is a retired PWD engineer from Bhopal currently working on a contractual basis as CGM with the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRRDA). Family members of Saurabh Ahirwar told police the seized cash belonged to him, though Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar has denied any connection to the money.
Why did police search the taxi driver's house in Sagar?
Police launched the search after spotting a social media photograph purportedly showing Saurabh Ahirwar holding a pistol, as part of routine social media monitoring in Sagar. No firearm was found; the family claimed the object was a gun-shaped lighter.
Which agencies are investigating the cash seizure?
The Sagar Police are leading the investigation and are set to share details with the Income Tax Department and other concerned agencies, who are expected to examine financial records and relevant evidence.
Were any arrests made in the Sagar cash seizure case?
No arrests have been reported so far. Family members were questioned by police and subsequently released. Investigators are still verifying the source and ownership of the seized cash.
