Lokayukta Raids Expose Secretary's Hidden Wealth In Shajapur

Shajapur (Madhya Pradesh): The Lokayukta police launched a major anti-corruption operation against Muralidhar Sharma, a panchayat secretary in Kalapipal tehsil of Shajapur district, following a complaint from local resident Kailashchandra Khati.

The dawn raids, conducted simultaneously at three locations, revealed extensive assets allegedly disproportionate to Sharma's official income. Under the direction of senior officials, three teams led by DSP Rajesh Pathak, DSP Sunil Talan and inspector Ghanshyam Merscole conducted coordinated searches beginning at 6 am.

The raids targeted Sharma's properties in Ashta city (including a house, shop and petrol pump), his ancestral home in Bamulia Muchhali village and his residence in Kalapipal. The searches uncovered substantial assets: Rs 1.5 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery exceeding Rs 6 lakh in value and a commercial inventory of tiles and sanitary items worth approximately Rs 50 lakh.

Investigators also discovered evidence of money lending operations and documentation of multiple land holdings, suggesting a pattern of converting allegedly illegal gains into real estate investments. A 75-member team participated in the operation.

The investigation stemmed from allegations that Sharma had accumulated significant assets during his tenure, including multiple houses, a petrol pump, vehicles, and numerous plots in both his name and through illegal transactions.