Former Madhya Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Chief Engineer Govind Prasad Mehra has come under investigation in a major corruption case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has temporarily attached movable and immovable properties worth about Rs 67.25 crore belonging to him and his family. The agency alleges that he amassed wealth many times his known income and diverted it into various investments and properties. The revelation revealed that the Chief Engineer also owns a luxury resort built on 72 acres.
This action has been taken on the basis of disproportionate assets case registered by Bhopal Lokayukta. Initial investigation had revealed that during his long tenure in government, Mehra had accumulated assets and expenses much more than his legitimate income. At present, the investigation of the entire matter is going on and further big revelations are expected.
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According to the investigating agencies, the legitimate income of Govind Prasad Mehra between the years 1985 to 2024 was estimated to be around Rs 4 crore, while assets and expenses worth several crores of rupees were found in his and his family’s name. The Lokayukta investigation had initially revealed disproportionate assets of about Rs 6 crore.
Luxury farmhouse built on 72 acres becomes center of investigation
The biggest case in the ED investigation has come to light – ‘Kasturi Krishi Farm’ located in Saini village of Sohagpur tehsil of Narmadapuram district. This land spread over about 70 to 72 acres was developed as a high-end farmhouse and resort. It includes cottages, residential buildings, internal roads, artificial reservoirs and modern structures associated with agriculture. Its estimated market price is said to be around Rs 49.44 crore, which includes construction work worth around Rs 16 crore.
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Cash, gold and silver also recovered in the raid
During the joint operation of Lokayukta and ED, Rs 8.79 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, silver utensils and other valuables worth about Rs 3.51 crore were recovered from various locations. The investigating agencies have said that the answers given regarding the sources of these assets were not found satisfactory and the documents were also not found sufficient.
ED has provisionally attached properties worth a total of Rs 67.25 crore under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This includes residential properties, farmhouses, cash, gold and silver among other assets. The agency says this step has been taken to prevent selling or hiding of assets and to ensure further legal action. The investigation of the case is still going on.
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