Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): After returning from Dubai and touring northern India, Saurabh Sharma, a former RTO constable, claimed he was in Gwalior preparing to appear before the court.
Sharma, who had been in hiding for over a month, told the Lokayukta police this when the investigating officer detained him on Tuesday and asked the first question, “Where were you for the past one month?” “I was in Dubai, and after returning to India, I toured the northern part of the country.
For the past few days, I was in Gwalior preparing to appear before the court,” said Sharma, who made a dramatic court appearance on Monday. He is wanted in a case under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The entire Lokayukta police office turned up at the gate to catch a glimpse of the ex-RTO employee, who was brought in for interrogation on Tuesday. He was later arrested.
Sharma first made headlines in mid-December when Lokayukta police seized assets worth nearly Rs 8 crore, including Rs 2.87 crore in cash, after raiding premises linked to him at various locations. Sharma had been on the run since then.
Lokayukta changes plan
Following his arrest, Saurabh was brought to Lokayukta office. Initially it was decided to present him before the Court on Wednesday. The cops even planned to conduct his health check up in the office by the government doctor before bringing him to the court.
Later it was decided to arrest him and Chetan Singh on Tuesday and to present them before the court the same day. DG Lokayukta Jaideep Prasad said "Saurabh Sharma is an accused in a case registered by Lokayukta police under the Prevention of Corruption Act and a raid was also conducted at his residence by the Lokayukta police on December 19, 2024. We received information about him to be in Bhopal, following which we have detained him and an inquiry is underway”.
The DG declined to comment on the claim made by Sharma’s lawyer that he was about to surrender before the court but was taken into custody by the Lokayukta police before he could do so. “I have nothing to say about it,” the officer remarked.
On being asked about questioning Sharma's wife, the officer said that all those involved in the case would be interrogated. His other associates will also be taken into custody soon, he added.
Court instructs police about Sharma’s health
Advocate Rakesh Parashar stated that the court has instructed the police to interrogate Sharma following Supreme Court guidelines. Police have been instructed to take care of his physical and mental health, food and other requirements during the investigation. The police have to conduct his medical check up before taking him to lockup and also before bringing him back to court, said the advocate.
Mother attends court proceedings
Saurabh Sharma’s mother was seen running from pillar to post seeking help from the advocates on Tuesday. She was seen calling up people and seeking advice from them but no one appeared in person to support her. BOX I-T, ED questionings ? The officials of Enforcement Directorate had called the mother and the wife of Saurabh Sharma for questioning again on Tuesday. Their statements were previously recorded on Monday. On Tuesday the caretakers of the family claimed that the ED had called Saurabh's mother and the wife for the statement. Other agencies ED and I-T are waiting their turn to take his statement. Sources claimed that after the investigation of Lokayukta completes, the ED and the Income Tax department will take Saurabh’s statement. I-T had issued the Look Out Circular against him. ED had also conducted two raids and searches on the premises of Saurabh, his family members, friends and business associates. The two agencies are now waiting their turn to record his statement.
Saurabh, Chetan, Sharad to spend nights in Kohefiza police station
Saurabh Sharma, Chetan Singh Gaur and Sharad Jaiswal will spend their nights in Kohefiza police station, officials said here on Tuesday. The Lokayukta police did not have any lockup in their headquarters and probably for the first time the arrest had been made by the police, in the case. SP DK Rathore said that the three will be kept in one of the police stations of the city. Probably Kohefiza police station will be selected as it is near to Lokayukta headquarters.
