Indore

The Lokayukta police on Wednesday conducted searches at multiple properties linked to a senior official of the Women and Child Development Department in Indore and reportedly discovered assets valued at around Rs 9.5 crore, officials said.

According to investigators, the assets identified so far are nearly four times higher than the officer's total earnings from government service over the past three decades.

Superintendent of Police Rajesh Sahay said the action followed a complaint alleging that Laxminarayan Kandwal, Joint Director in the Women and Child Development Department, had amassed wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income through corrupt practices.

After a preliminary inquiry into the allegations, Lokayukta teams carried out searches at several locations associated with Kandwal, including his residence, a gymnasium, a departmental store and other establishments.

Officials said Kandwal has been employed with the government since 1996 and has earned an estimated salary of about Rs 2.5 crore during his 30 years of service.

"Properties worth approximately Rs 9.5 crore belonging to Kandwal and his family members have been detected during the raids so far," Sahay said.

Among the assets identified are a multi-storeyed building spread over nearly 13,500 square feet and two plots located in Indore city.

Investigators also found documents relating to 11 plots situated in villages near the Pithampur industrial belt on the outskirts of Indore.

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A case has been registered against Kandwal under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Officials said a comprehensive valuation and scrutiny of the recovered assets is still in progress.