In a pre-dawn operation on Wednesday, the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta’s Special Police Establishment descended upon multiple properties belonging to Govardhanlal Maru, manager of the Adivasi Jati Seva Sahakari Samiti in Dhar district, seizing assets worth approximately Rs 4.69 crore – nearly four times his declared legitimate income over three decades of government service.

Three simultaneous teams comprising over 50 personnel raided Maru’s two-storey residence in Labaria village, his sprawling farmhouse, office premises, warehouse, and several structures on agricultural land from 5:30 am until 5:30 pm. The scale of the operation, involving 18 vehicles, drew hundreds of villagers who watched in stunned silence as evidence of unexplained wealth was carried out in sealed boxes.

Investigators recovered Rs 2.41 lakh in cash, 145 grams of gold valued at Rs 15.52 lakh, 1.23 kg of silver worth Rs 96,219, and luxury household items including furniture, air conditioners, and electronics collectively worth Rs 16.98 lakh. More significantly, documents revealed ownership of over 30 bighas of prime land, multiple buildings, and other immovable assets that far exceeded Maru’s known sources of income.

Also Read: Six Madhya Pradesh Poll Officers Die Amid Intense Voter Revision Exercise Pressure

Official records show Maru began his career in 1984 as a salesman earning Rs 300 per month, with his total salary over 30 years estimated at Rs 80 lakh and agricultural-ancestral income at around Rs 40 lakh – aggregating to roughly Rs 1.20 crore in legitimate earnings. The Lokayukta maintains the Rs 4.69 crore in assets uncovered represents a clear case of disproportionate wealth under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Lokayukta DSP Sunil Talan confirmed an FIR has been registered and a detailed panchnama is under preparation, with scrutiny of financial records set to continue. The raid marks yet another high-profile action against corruption in Madhya Pradesh’s cooperative sector, sending a strong message that public servants accumulating unexplained wealth will face rigorous accountability irrespective of position or tenure.

Also Read: MP CM Removes Raisen SP After 6-Year-Old’s Rape Accused Evades Arrest for 5 Days