On Wednesday a major Economic Offences Wing (EOW) probe was launched in Mandla district of Madhya Pradesh after a complaint was made by the prosecution that the clerk of the Forest Department there has accumulated assets that were far exceeding his sources of income.
A team of field officers from the EOW (Jabalpur) visited the home of the clerk of the West General Forest Division, Mandla Ward of Swetank Chaurasia.
“We have been reviewing your documents and financial records.We are looking through documents and financial records.”
The EOW team started to delve through documents, papers, bank records etc of property and other financial documents at the residence. The income of Chaurasia is known and officials are comparing the same with the assets to see how much accumulated “disproportionate wealth” is linked to him.
The preliminary results of the investigation reportedly show acquisition of approximately 4 kg silver medal, 200 grams of gold medal and ₹5 lakh cash. The entire property with both house and shop, priced at approximately ₹50 lakh each, have also been called into question.
According to the preliminary investigation, there are assets that are roughly 290% more than what has been identified as sources of income, but the final determination will be made after the investigation is completed.
The report said that after his father’s death, Chaurasia has been appointed to the Forest Department on compassionate grounds. Now, the EOW is looking at the assets that he has earned during the tenure of his service and if they are to be traced from the income he obtained and listed as well.
Investigation Still Underway
The EOW operation is ongoing with the investigators further investigating paperwork and accounting records at the residence.
The full scope of the alleged imbalance in the assets and the further proceedings will be evaluated once the investigation is finished.
The raid has raised worry of the Forest Department in Mandla where EOW is going deep into the financial affairs of the clerk.