Living large in just three years of service, an Area Sales Manager (ASM) of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) has landed in serious trouble. The CBI has alleged that the officer amassed crores in illegal wealth, buying a bungalow in Mohali (Punjab), 900 grams of gold jewellery, three agricultural lands in Dhanbad (Jharkhad), a residential plot worth Rs 80 lakh in Nagpur and a luxury Ford Endeavour SUV. He also spent lakhs on lavish interiors of his houses. The CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Nagpur, registered a disproportionate assets case and carried out raids, during which Rs 17 lakh cash was recovered from his residence.

 

The accused have been identified as Sandeep Singh, ASM, Nagpur Area, WCL, and his wife Sweta Singh, both residents of Pioneer Regency, Katol Road, Nagpur. The CBI alleged that Singh used a shell company in his wife’s name to route and manage black money. It also alleged that the accused acquired the assets during his service from 2023 to 2025. Earlier, the CBI launched DA inquiry and found the couple acquired assets worth Rs 45.23 lakh more than their known income, based on an analysis of their earnings, expenditure, and properties. During the raid at their house in KT Nagar, the CBI unearthed huge properties amassed by the accused couple. According to the CBI, Sandeep Singh, while working as a public servant, allegedly acquired movable and immovable assets in his own name as well as in the name of his wife during the period from August 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025.

 

The information revealed that Singh began his career with Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Dhanbad, as a Management Trainee (Sales and Marketing). Over the years, he worked in different capacities at BCCL. He was transferred to WCL, Nagpur, on November 8, 2024, and since then he has been posted as Senior Sales Manager in the Nagpur Area of WCL. The CBI conducted a detailed assessment of the income, assets, and expenditure of Sandeep Singh and his wife during the check period from August 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025. During this period, the total income of the couple from all known sources was calculated at Rs 1.27 crore. Before the start of the check period, on August 1, 2023, the value of their assets was assessed at Rs 1.62 crore. By the end of the period, on August 31, 2025, the value of their assets had increased significantly to Rs. 2.87 crore.

 

During the same period, the expenditure incurred by Singh and his family members was estimated at around Rs. 48 lakh.After considering the income and expenditure, the CBI calculated that the likely savings of the couple during the check period should have been around Rs 79.98 lakh. However, it was found that they acquired assets worth Rs 1.25 crore during the same period. This resulted in an alleged disproportionate asset of Rs 45.23 lakh, which could not be satisfactorily explained based on their known sources of income. The investigation also revealed that Sweta Singh allegedly aided and abetted her husband in acquiring these assets. Several properties and assets were reportedly held jointly by the couple. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018 against the couple. The investigation has been entrusted to Niraj Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police, CBI, ACB, Nagpur under the guidance of Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Sonawane. Further investigation is underway to verify the assets, income, and financial transactions of the accused.