Bhopal, Sep 3 (IANS) The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Madhya Pradesh on Thursday conducted simultaneous searches at three premises linked to a Public Works Department (PWD) executive engineer in connection with a disproportionate assets case.
During the raids, officials recovered around Rs 2.5 lakh in cash and a newly purchased Scorpio SUV valued at nearly Rs 25 lakh. Several empty envelopes were also found during the search, they said.
The searches were conducted at the official residence of Kamal Kishore Singare, executive engineer (in-charge) posted with the PWD’s PIU branch in Balaghat, and at his residences in Chhindwara and Bhopal.
The operation began following a complaint alleging corruption, harassment of contractors, abuse of office and accumulation of assets disproportionate to known sources of income.
EOW DSP Manjit Singh told IANS in Balaghat that the searches were carried out after obtaining permission from the court. “Following the court’s permission, searches were conducted at three locations. Around Rs 2.5 lakh in cash and a vehicle worth nearly Rs 25 lakh have been found so far. Scrutiny of documents and other material is continuing,” Singh told IANS.
After the search in Balaghat, the EOW team took Singare to Chhindwara, where his residence was searched. Another team continued the operation at the Bhopal premises.
Singare has been posted as executive engineer (in-charge) in Balaghat for around 14 months, according to EOW.
The action followed a complaint filed with the EOW in Jabalpur on July 13 by Yunus Khan, general secretary of the Madhya Pradesh Civil Contractors Association. Khan alleged that contractors in Balaghat were being harassed and that commissions were being demanded in connection with construction work and bill payments.
He alleged that a commission of Rs 10 lakh was demanded from contractor Chhotulal Thakre against a payment of around Rs 30 lakh.
The allegations are part of the complaint and have not been established. The EOW is examining documents and other evidence to ascertain the facts.
EOW said the total value of assets and other recoveries, if any, would be known after completion of the searches.
–IANS
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