Forest officer found in possession of Rs 4 cr illegal wealth

The value of unaccounted assets found during Lokayukta raids at the premises of a forest officer in Madhya Pradesh reached up to Rs 4 crore, a senior official said Monday.

The raids were conducted simultaneously at five locations Sunday, including the premises of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) of Forest R N Saxena (61) and his close relatives, he said.

Lokayukta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pravin Singh Baghel told PTI that during searches, bank deposits of Saxena and his family worth Rs 90 lakh were recovered Monday.

Besides, gold jewellery worth Rs 8.35 lakh was recovered from a bank locker, he said.

"According to searches, we have got clues of benami assets worth Rs 4 crore so far," he said.

Baghel said a complaint was received against Saxena stating he had acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

He said Saxena is currently posted in the Mhow forest range.

Saxena has earned nearly Rs 60 lakh from his salary after joining the government job in 1995, the DSP said.

However, the Lokayukta police found information about assets worth Rs 2 crore in the name of Saxena and his relatives, the officer said.

He said Rs 3.54 lakh in cash and gold and silver jewellery were recovered from Saxena's house, besides documents related to immovable properties, including two plots, three hostels, two residential buildings and agricultural land, owned by him and his relatives.

A case has been registered against the forest officer under the Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation was underway, Baghel said.

Saxena purchased most of the properties in the name of his close relatives, he added.