Sagar, Aug 17 (IANS) Police are investigating the source and ownership of Rs 3.02 crore in cash seized from a taxi driver’s house in Sagar. They are set to share details of the seizure with the Income Tax Department and other concerned agencies.
Police recovered the cash during a search of Saurabh Ahirwar’s house in the Tili Tigadda area under Gopalganj police station limits on Sunday. Police launched the search after noticing a social media photograph purportedly showing Ahirwar holding a pistol. No firearm was found during the operation, but bags filled with cash were discovered inside a locked wardrobe.
Police brought a currency-counting machine to the spot and counted the seized amount at Rs 3,02,14,000. The seizure has raised questions over the source of such a large amount of cash and its actual ownership.
According to police, family members claimed during questioning that the money belonged to their relative Ramesh Kumar Ahirwar, a retired PWD engineer from Bhopal currently working on a contractual basis as a CGM with the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPRRDA). Ramesh Ahirwar, however, denied that the cash belonged to him and questioned why his name was being linked to the money.
“Approximately Rs 3 crore has been seized from the house. The cash has been secured, and investigators are verifying its source and ownership. Details will be shared with the Income Tax Department and other concerned agencies for further investigation,” Sagar Superintendent of Police Anurag Sujania said.
Police said family members told investigators that Ramesh allegedly arrived at the house with his wife, placed the cash-filled bags inside a newly purchased wardrobe, and left with its key. Police found the wardrobe locked, and they could not locate the key at the house. Police later opened the lock during the search. Police questioned the family members and later released them.
Investigators are examining how the cash reached the house and whether it is connected to illegal activity. The agencies concerned are likely to examine financial records and other relevant evidence. Police are also verifying the social media photograph that triggered the search.
The family has claimed that the object in Ahirwar’s hand was a gun‑shaped lighter and not a pistol. Police recovered no firearm from the premises. The police action was part of routine monitoring of social media accounts in Sagar. Officials said photographs showing weapons were identified on two profiles, prompting action in the Motinagar and Gopalganj police station areas.
–IANS
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