32 Cottages, Gold, Silver, Luxury Cars, Temple & Cowshed: Seized From Retired PWD Chief Engineer In Bhopal

The city of Bhopal was left stunned on Thursday as the Lokayukta launched a dramatic raid on the properties of retired PWD Chief Engineer GP Mehra, uncovering a staggering hoard of wealth that officials

described as “beyond imagination.”The investigation, initially focused on disproportionate assets, quickly spiraled into one of the state’s most jaw-dropping corruption cases in recent memory, blending greed, luxury, and sheer absurdity.Four Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officers led early morning operations across four separate locations in Bhopal and Narmadapuram. “The scale of assets we found was beyond imagination,” said an official involved in the raids.At Mehra’s residence in Manipuram Colony, investigators seized Rs 8.79 lakh in cash, jewellery worth nearly Rs 50 lakh, and fixed deposits of Rs 56 lakh. Yet the real surprise awaited at his luxury apartment in Opal Regency near Dana Pani, where Rs 26 lakh in cash, 2.6 kilograms of gold valued at Rs 3.05 crore, and 5.5 kilograms of silver were recovered.The Saini farmhouse in Tehsil Sohagpur revealed even more unusual assets. Officials found 17 tonnes of honey neatly stacked, six tractors, 32 cottages under construction, seven completed cottages, a private pond for fish farming, a cowshed, a temple, and multiple luxury cars including a Ford Endeavour, Skoda Slavia, Kia Sonet, and Maruti Ciaz - all registered in the Mehra family’s name.The Lokayukta extended the operation to KT Industries in Govindpura Industrial Area, believed to be Mehra’s business front. Here, Rs 1.25 lakh in cash, equipment, raw materials, and documents showing his relatives as business partners were seized.By the end of the day, officials had amassed an inventory resembling a royal treasury: Rs 36.04 lakh in cash, 2.649 kg of gold, 5.523 kg of silver, multiple fixed deposits, insurance policies, share documents, properties, and four luxury vehicles. Lokayukta officials confirmed that the valuation of assets was ongoing and expected to reach several crores. Forensic teams have begun examining the seized documents, digital files, and banking records, while investigators trace Mehra’s financial trail for potential benami investments.“The wealth and variety of assets discovered here are unprecedented,” said a senior officer. “This operation highlights the need for strict vigilance against corruption at every level.”(With inputs from agencies)