Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): The Income Tax department is exploring options to file an application in court to question former Transport constable Saurabh Sharma, who is currently in Lokayukta police custody.
The I-T department may soon approach the court for permission to interrogate Sharma regarding the seizure of 52 gold bars and Rs 11 crore in cash from an abandoned jeep.
The gold bars, weighing 52 kg, and the cash were recovered from a vehicle in Mendori some time ago. I-T officials believe the gold and cash belong to Sharma, although he denied ownership when he appeared in court on Tuesday.
The vehicle is registered under the name of his close associate, Chetan Singh Gaur. IT officials are keen to question Sharma to clarify various aspects of the case, and may also interrogate his wife, Divya. Earlier, the I-T department had recorded statements of Sharma’s mother and Chetan Singh.
Gold mystery
The 52 kg of gold bars seized from an abandoned vehicle in Mendori are reportedly inscribed with the names of three countries: Dubai (UAE), Australia, and Switzerland. Authorities have not yet determined who brought the gold or how it was transported to Bhopal. The investigation continues as the Income Tax department and Lokayukta police probe the origin and handling of the gold.
I-T plan of action
The Income Tax (I-T) department is set to write to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Lokayukta police to obtain details regarding the properties, cash, and ornaments seized during the raids on ex-Transport constable Saurabh Sharma and his close associates.After receiving the information, the I-T department plans to initiate tax recovery action based on the findings.
