UP Vigilance Raid: Vigilance raid on former ARTO Lalit Kumar’s house in Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh revealed assets worth Rs 35 crore. The investigation has intensified after recovery of Rs 1.62 crore cash, 13 kg gold, 9 kg silver and property worth crores.
Former ARTO Lalit Kumar Raid: A case of disproportionate assets in Uttar Pradesh has shocked everyone. The Vigilance Establishment conducted a two-day search operation at the Lucknow residence of former Assistant Divisional Transport Officer (ARTO) Lalit Kumar. During the investigation, a huge cache of cash, gold, silver, immovable properties worth crores and investment related documents were found. According to initial assessment, the value of the recovered property is said to be around Rs 35 crore. After this action, it has been decided to honor the team that conducted the raid.
Search lasted for two days, huge cache of cash and gold found
The Vigilance team had reached the house of former ARTO Lalit Kumar in Chandralok Colony, Aliganj, Lucknow with a search warrant from the court. The investigating officers were expecting to find some important documents, but during the search, Rs 1.62 crore in cash was recovered from different places. Apart from this, 13 kg of gold was found, which included gold bars, gold bricks and jewellery. 9 kg of silver was also recovered, which included ingots, biscuits and silver jewellery.
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Documents of properties worth crores found in many cities
During the search, officials also found documents of properties related to Lucknow, Noida, Barabanki and Rae Bareli. The investigation has revealed records of many houses, plots, agricultural lands and flat bookings. According to initial estimates, the value of these immovable properties is around Rs 13 crore. Apart from this, documents of investment of more than Rs 1 crore in bank deposits, post office schemes, fixed deposits and mutual funds have also been found.
Vehicles, revolvers and other items also under investigation
The investigation team has also taken the Toyota Innova and Hyundai i20 cars parked outside the house under investigation. A revolver has also been recovered, whose license and related documents are being examined. Expensive furniture and other valuable household items are also being valued so that an accurate assessment of the total wealth can be made.
Vigilance investigation was started after the complaint
Lalit Kumar had earlier been posted as ARTO in Agra. Vigilance had started a preliminary investigation after receiving a complaint against him for amassing assets beyond his income. When the allegations were found to be true, a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and a search warrant was obtained from the court. At present, verification of the recovered documents is going on and the source of the property is being investigated.
The team that conducted the raid will get a prize
After this major action, the Director General of Police of Uttar Pradesh and the Director of Vigilance Establishment have announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to the raiding team of Lucknow sector. The investigating agency is now trying to find out from which source the recovered properties were acquired. If investigation proves that these assets are disproportionate to known income, legal action against the former ARTO may be intensified.