Lokayukta police raid MP official, slap DA case

Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta police on Tuesday raided the premises of a civic employee at Pithampur, about 50 kilometres from here, and unearthed unaccounted assets estimated to be over Rs 1 crore, an official said.

Lokayukta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Pravin Singh Baghel said five premises of Mahesh Patel (49), a deputy inspector with Pithampur Municipal Council, were raided on a complaint of disproportionate assets (DA).

During the search of Patel's house in Pithampur, gold jewellery worth about Rs 7 lakh, silver ornaments and Rs 90,000 in cash were recovered, he said.

The Lokayukta police team also got information about five houses, a plot and a shop purchased in the name of Patel and his family members in Pithampur, he said, adding that the accused's family owned a car and four two-wheelers.

Baghel said Patel had joined government service in 1992.

"The value of movable and immovable assets of Patel and his family members is more than Rs one crore. This figure is more than the salary earned by him during 27 years of government service," he said.

A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the DySP said.