Bhopal:
Bhopal by Madhya Pradesh is in the center of one of the most sensational corruption cases in recent history. The discovery of 52 kilograms of gold and RS 11 million frosts in cash from an abandoned car has raised a simple question: Who does it belong to?
Saurabh Sharma, a former agent of the Madhya Pradesh Department of Transportation, is in the heart of multiple agencies that involves the Compliance Directorate (ED), the Income Tax Department (TI), the Intelligence Directorate of income (DRI) and the Lokayukta police.
Unbelievable empire
The fall of Saurabh Sharma began with a December 2024 raid, which unearthed assets for almost 8 million rupees, including cash, jewelry and property documents. Then, it was discovered that an Innova Blanco Toyota, abandoned in the Mendori Jungle near Bhopal, contained 52 kg of gold and RS 11 million rapias in cash.
What began as an investigation of corruption on a single officer has now exposed a broader network of corruption that involves senior government officials and real estate deals in Madhya Pradesh.
Contradictions
In addition to the confusion, the judicial documents revealed great discrepancies in the reports of the seized assets of Lokayukta. Although the first claims suggested 7.98 million rupees in cash, a DSP level officer was recovered later declared that the seizure was only RS 55 Lakh, along with jewelry and silver.
These inconsistencies have raised issues of negligence, or deliberate misrepresentation, in the anti -corruption body probe. The ED has assumed key aspects of the probe, citing possible violations under the money laundering prevention law (PMLA).
The missing owner of the ‘golden car’
Despite multiple agencies that investigate the case, no one has appeared to claim the abandoned treasure. The car was registered in Cetan Singh Gaur, a nearby associate from Sharma, but Gaur has denied any participation, stating that he had simply lent the vehicle to a driver who has not yet been identified.
CCTV’s images captured the car near Sharma’s residence on the night of the raids. However, the Lokayukta could not intercept the vehicle, allowing it to be abandoned later. This has led to the speculation that experts may have inclined to key suspects, giving them time to move incriminating evidence.
The ‘gold network’
The investigation has now expanded beyond Madhya Pradesh, with agencies that investigate possible links with the smuggling of illegal gold. Sharma’s financial treatment indicates connections with Dubai, Switzerland and Australia.
Transactions worth 100 million rupees have emerged, which implies transport officials in 52 districts.
Former Madhya Pradesh Prime Minister Digvijay Singh, demanded a judicial investigation led by the President of the Superior Court of Madhya Pradesh. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Singh criticized the management of the case and requested the exclusive control of the investigation by the emergency department and IT.
In response, Prime Minister Mohan Yadav defended his administration, declaring: “Our government has always fought a battle of principles against corruption. We had even closed the control barriers. We are committed to fighting corruption at all levels.”
For now, Saurabh Sharma and his associates, Cetan Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal, remain in judicial custody. But the key questions remain unanswered:
Who was the owner of gold and cash?
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