ACB unearths 6.25cr assets linked to JDA engr during raids

TNN / Mar 12, 2025, 00:41 IST

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ACB unearths 6.25cr assets linked to JDA engr during raids

Jaipur: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) uncovered assets worth nearly Rs 6.25 crore during raids conducted at various premises linked to Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) superintendent engineer, Avinash Sharma, Tuesday. The assets were found to be disproportionate to his known sources of income by 253 percent. In an operation dubbed "Operation 40+," ACB teams from multiple districts, including Tonk, Sawai Madhopur, Dausa, and Ajmer, conducted simultaneous raids across various locations in Jaipur.
The searches revealed a substantial cache of assets, including Rs 13 lakh in cash, jewellery of 140 gram gold and 500 gram silver, and documents for over 100 properties linked to Sharma and members of his family.
DG (ACB) Ravi Prakash Mehrada said that the investigation was initiated following confidential information about Sharma's alleged involvement in extensive corruption. The official's financial portfolio includes mutual fund and stock market investments worth Rs 1.34 crore, Rs 30 lakh spread across seven bank accounts and vehicles valued at nearly Rs 25 lakh.
The properties, scattered across prime locations in Jaipur including Gopalpura Mod, Mansarovar, Sanganer and Pratap Nagar, were allegedly acquired through corrupt practices during Sharma's tenure at JDA.

ACB has discovered that Sharma reportedly favoured housing committees and builders, receiving land plots either as gratification or at heavily discounted rates.
"Our preliminary investigation suggests significant investments in benami properties," an ACB official said. The agency said that Sharma spent approximately Rs 50 lakh on his children's education, including schooling, coaching, and higher studies.
The investigation remains ongoing, with two bank lockers yet to be examined. ACB is particularly interested in investigating possible irregularities in the development and regularisation of approximately 25 different schemes and colonies where Sharma acquired properties.
This case represents one of the significant anti-corruption operations in recent times, highlighting the need for increased scrutiny of public officials and their assets. ACB continues its investigation to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption network.

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