🚨 The Rs 700 Crore Scandal: How a Traffic Constable Built an Empire of Corruption
In one of the most staggering corruption cases in recent Indian history, Saurabh Sharma, a former constable in Madhya Pradesh’s Regional Transport Office (RTO), stands accused of amassing disproportionate assets worth ₹500–700 crore—a feat that has stunned both investigators and the public.
🕵️♂️ The Discovery That Sparked the Investigation
The scandal broke on December 19, 2024, when a former sarpanch from Mendori village near Bhopal noticed suspicious activity involving an SUV with an RTO plate. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 52 kg of gold and ₹10 crore in cash inside the vehicle, allegedly linked to Sharma’s aide. This triggered a series of raids by the Lokayukta, Income Tax Department, and Enforcement Directorate (ED).
💰 Modus Operandi: From Constable to Crorepati
Despite earning a modest salary of ₹28,000 per month, Sharma allegedly orchestrated a vast network of shell companies, benami properties, and illicit businesses to launder money collected through extortion and bribery at transport check-posts.
Key elements of his operation included:
- Extortion at Check Posts: Sharma supervised 23 out of 47 transport check posts in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly collecting bribes from transporters and distributing the proceeds among collaborators.
- Shell Companies & Benami Holdings: Properties were bought under the names of his wife, mother, and associates. Firms like Aviral Building and Construction Pvt Ltd and Skylock Systems Pvt Ltd were used to route black money.
- Luxury Assets: Investigators uncovered:
- A ₹150 crore villa in Dubai
- Three petrol pumps
- Fish farms and land parcels across Madhya Pradesh
- A franchise of Jaipuria School in Bhopal, allegedly funded with unaccounted cash
🧾 Assets Seized
Across multiple raids, authorities seized:
| Asset Type | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| Gold | ₹40.50 crore |
| Silver (234 kg) | ₹2.20 crore |
| Cash | ₹14.29 crore |
| Fixed Deposits | ₹6 crore |
| Real Estate & Properties | ₹37.21 crore (circle rate) |
Note: Market value of properties may exceed ₹1,000 crore according to local officials.
🧑🤝🧑 Network of Accomplices
Sharma’s wife Divya Tiwari, mother Uma Sharma, and childhood friend Chetan Singh Gaur played key roles. Gaur was found driving the SUV with gold and cash. Other associates like Sharad Jaiswal and Rohit Tiwari were linked to shell companies and property deals.
⚖️ Legal Proceedings & Political Fallout
Sharma took voluntary retirement in 2023, just before the scandal erupted. He remained on the run for over a month before being arrested in January 2025. The case has sparked political controversy, with opposition leaders alleging a broader corruption nexus and a missing diary that could implicate bureaucrats and politicians.
🔍 What Lies Ahead
The ED continues to trace Sharma’s assets and investigate his network. The scandal has become a flashpoint in Madhya Pradesh politics, raising questions about systemic corruption and oversight failures.