UP Vigilance Recovers Rs 35 Crore in Assets From Retired ARTO

Assets valued at around Rs 35 crore, including Rs 1.62 crore in cash, 13 kg of gold and documents linked to properties, have been seized from the residence of a retired Uttar Pradesh transport officer facing a disproportionate assets case, officials said. The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment conducted searches at the officer's home in Lucknow over two days.

The case involves Lalit Kumar, a retired transport department officer who was serving as an Assistant Regional Transport Officer in Agra when an FIR was registered against him in 2024. The case was filed under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act following a preliminary inquiry that allegedly found assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

According to officials, the Uttar Pradesh government directed the Lucknow Sector of the Vigilance Establishment to investigate the allegations based on the preliminary inquiry findings. The investigating officer later obtained a search warrant from a court to inspect Kumar's residence in Chandralok Colony in Lucknow's Aliganj area. The searches were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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During the operation, investigators allegedly recovered Rs 1.62 crore in cash wrapped in packets and concealed at different locations inside the house. The team also seized a large quantity of gold and silver bars, biscuits and jewellery, along with diamond ornaments and documents connected to properties reportedly worth more than Rs 13 crore.

A government-approved valuer assessed the seized precious metals and jewellery, which included around 13 kg of gold and nine kg of silver in the form of bars, biscuits and ornaments. Officials said the estimated combined value of the recovered valuables and the house was around Rs 20 crore. When property documents and other assets were included, the overall value of the alleged fortune was estimated at approximately Rs 35 crore.

The recoveries form part of the ongoing investigation into whether Kumar accumulated wealth beyond his known and lawful sources of income. Vigilance officials are expected to examine the seized documents, financial records and ownership details of the identified properties as the inquiry progresses. Further action will depend on the findings of the investigation and verification of the assets recovered during the searches.

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