Lucknow, Jul 8 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment recovered Rs 1.62 crore in cash, 13 kg of gold, 9 kg of silver and documents linked to assets collectively estimated at around Rs 35 crore at the Lucknow residence of a former government official in a disproportionate assets case.
The searches were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday at the residence of Lalit Kumar, a former Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) who was posted in Agra, after the Vigilance Establishment obtained a search warrant from a competent court, according to an official statement.
Kumar had earlier been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a vigilance inquiry allegedly found that he had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
The case is being investigated by the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment’s Lucknow Sector on the directions of the state government.
During the searches at Kumar’s residence in Chandralok Colony, Aliganj, investigators recovered around Rs 1.62 crore in cash allegedly concealed in packets at different locations inside the house.
They also seized about 13 kg of gold in the form of bars, bricks and jewellery, and around 9 kg of silver comprising bars, biscuits and ornaments. A government-approved valuer estimated the value of the recovered precious metals and jewellery at around Rs 20 crore, the statement said.
Officials also recovered documents relating to investments in several movable and immovable properties. These include multiple residential houses and plots in Lucknow, agricultural land in Lucknow, Barabanki and Rae Bareli districts, and bookings of flats in Lucknow and Noida. The immovable properties are estimated to be worth around Rs 13 crore.
The searches further led to the recovery of documents relating to investments exceeding Rs 1 crore in bank deposits, post office schemes, mutual funds and fixed deposits. Two cars — a Toyota Innova and a Hyundai i20 — and a revolver were also found, officials said.
An inventory of household furnishings and other expensive domestic items has also been prepared as part of the investigation.
According to the Vigilance Establishment, the total value of the recovered cash, precious metals, jewellery, movable and immovable assets and investments is estimated at around Rs 35 crore.
It said all suspected disproportionate assets recovered during the searches are being verified and incorporated into the ongoing investigation, after which further legal action will be taken.
The Director General of Police and Director, Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment, has announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh for the Lucknow Sector team that carried out the searches, the statement added. PTI ABN NB NB
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.