The Enforcement Directorate’s Bhopal Zonal Office has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties valued at nearly Rs 18.20 crore belonging to Dharmendra Singh Bhadauria, the former District Excise Officer of Madhya Pradesh’s Alirajpur, and his family members. This action was taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, due to allegations of disproportionate assets. The investigation stemmed from an FIR filed by the Lokayukta’s Special Police Establishment (SPE) at Indore under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Authorities discovered that between 1987 and August 31, 2025, Bhadauria accumulated assets significantly exceeding his known sources of income. Despite a lawful income of around Rs 2 crore, he and his family members acquired assets and spent nearly Rs 11.18 crore, resulting in disproportionate assets of about Rs 9.18 crore, nearly 459% higher than his legitimate earnings. Searches at various locations associated with Bhadauria and his family yielded substantial cash, gold jewellery, bullion, silver articles, and other valuables.
During the investigation, Bhadauria acknowledged ownership of the seized cash and jewellery but failed to provide a credible explanation or supporting documents regarding their acquisition. Further inquiries revealed that Bhadauria and his family possessed high-value movable and immovable assets during the check period, the sources of which could not be satisfactorily explained. The ED determined these assets as proceeds of crime due to being disproportionate to their lawful income, leading to the provisional attachment of properties worth Rs 18.20 crore under the PMLA, 2002.
Information about the attachment has been shared with the Lokayukta SPE under the PMLA. The ED aims to prevent the concealment, transfer, or disposal of these assets and secure them for confiscation proceedings. The investigation into this matter is ongoing, hinting at potential further revelations as the probe progresses.
