BHOPAL,  

 

The Indore and Bhopal unit of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) provisionally attached assets of Saurabh Sharma and Ashok Sharma, the then Deputy Director, Urban Administration Development Department, as part of its money-laundering probe into a case related to transport. Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal, has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 92.07 crore on Tuesday according to the agency’s statement while Indore Sub-Zonal Office has attached property of Ashok Sharma, the then Deputy Director, Urban Administration Development Department, Indore and Ujjain, amounting to Rs 95 lakh (approx.). ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by the Special Police Establishment Lokayukta, Ujjain, under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act 1988, for alleged possession of assets disproportionate to his known sources of income to the tune of Rs 1.64 crore, during the check period, from 01.04.1998 to 17.01.2010.

 

ED investigation revealed that Ashok Sharma has laundered the Proceeds of Crime (POC) through acquisition of various movable and immovable assets in his name and in the name of his family members. Further investigation is under progress, as per the statement. The action has been taken in connection with the amassment of disproportionate assets to the known sources of Saurabh Sharma’ income.

 

These associates include Sharad Jaiswal, Chetan Singh Gaur, Aviral Building Constructions Private Limited, M/s Aviral Enterprises Private Limited, M/s U R Infrastructures Private Limited etc. In this case, Income Tax Department had seized cash and gold from Innova vehicle belonging to Chetan Singh Gaur. ED investigation has revealed that said cash and gold seized from Innova belonged to Saurabh Sharma only. ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by Lokayukta Police Establishment, Bhopal under sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(b) of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 against Saurabh Sharma. ED investigation revealed that Saurabh Sharma had purchased various movable and immovable properties in the name of his family members/friends/ associates and also in the name of companies/firms/society by arranging unsecured loans from various unidentified persons by laundering of ill-gotten money obtained and derived by him by commission of criminal activity relating to scheduled offences.

 

Earlier, Saurabh Sharma, Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal were arrested and they are presently in judicial custody. (lodged in jail). Also, earlier, search and seizure actions were also conducted, which led to freezing of bank accounts with bank balances of Rs 8.29 crore and seizure of cash to the tune of Rs 14.20 lakh and silver of worth of Rs 9.17 lakh. Till now, total attachment/seizure in the matter by ED is of Rs 100.36 crore. Further probe is underway.