Lokayukta Raids Retired PWD Chief Engineer in Bhopal, Uncovers ₹60 Crore in Disproportionate Assets; Probe Expands to Family Properties

Second Day of Raids Reveals Expanding Trail of Wealth

The Special Police Establishment (SPE) of Lokayukta, Bhopal, continued its high-profile raid on the premises of retired Public Works Department Chief Engineer Govind Prasad (G.P.) Mehra for a second consecutive day on Friday. The searches have so far unearthed disproportionate assets valued at approximately ₹60 crore, officials confirmed.

The operation, which began early Thursday, extended across four locations linked to Mehra and his family members in Bhopal and nearby areas.

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Five Bank Accounts and Multiple Properties Under Scanner

According to Lokayukta officials, investigators have so far traced five active bank accounts belonging to the retired engineer. Letters have been sent to the concerned banks seeking full transaction histories and details of any lockers.

The police have also seized property documents registered in the names of Mehra’s two sons, a daughter, his mother, and a minor child, suggesting possible attempts to conceal assets through benami holdings. Officials added that Mehra had been married twice, further complicating the asset trail.

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Raids Yield Investment and Account Documents

During Friday’s searches, teams collected investment-related documents, bank account records, and property files from Mehra’s residences. “Whatever was visible has been noted, and detailed scrutiny of the seized documents will reveal the full extent of his hidden wealth,” an investigating officer told reporters.

The district registrar has been asked to share official details of immovable properties registered in the names of Mehra and his family members to establish ownership patterns and verify the value of the assets.

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Lokayukta Tightens Anti-Corruption Drive

This operation is part of the Lokayukta’s ongoing crackdown on public servants accused of amassing wealth disproportionate to their known sources of income. Officials indicated that once the bank and property data are analyzed, further action, including potential attachment of assets, could follow.

Sources within the Lokayukta department said the investigation will focus on identifying money trails, benami transactions, and investment diversions during Mehra’s tenure in the PWD.

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Broader Implications

The case adds to a growing list of corruption probes against senior engineers and government officials in Madhya Pradesh. Legal experts note that the outcome of such raids could strengthen the Lokayukta’s case for tighter financial disclosures and transparency norms within state departments.

The Bhopal Lokayukta Police is expected to submit a detailed interim report in the coming weeks.