Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Jabalpur has unearthed assets worth approximately Rs 2.82 crore during searches conducted at the residence and office of Polarao Baroua, In-charge Assistant Health Officer of Jabalpur Municipal Corporation (JMC), in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The accused has been identified as Polarao Sanyasi Baroua, a resident of House No. A-6, JDA Scheme-11, behind Adi Plaza, Jabalpur. According to EOW officials, a preliminary verification of complaints that the municipal officer had cumilative wealth through corrupt practices found prima facie evidence supporting the allegations. Subsequently, Crime No. 0/26 was registered against him under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018. On Tuesday morning, the EOW constituted three teams to conduct simultaneous searches at the accused’s residence and office. The raid commenced at around 6 am and the search operation was still underway at the time of filing of this report.

 

During the searches, EOW teams have found assets in the names of Polarao and his family members including residential flat valued at approximately Rs 45 lakh, household articles worth around Rs 16 lakh, investments in insurance policies amounting to Rs 10 lakh, gold ornaments weighing about 150 grams, valued at Rs 22.50 lakh, silver articles weighing 232 kilograms, estimated at Rs 3 lakh, a plot of land worth Rs 65 lakh, one four-wheeler valued at Rs 8.50 lakh, three two-wheelers worth approximately Rs 6.20 lakh, documents relating to cash transactions amounting to Rs 1.19 crore seized from the residence, six bank accounts of the accused and his family members containing deposits of around Rs 10 lakh and indications of approximately 450 grams of gold kept in bank lockers. Based on the assets and documents recovered so far, the EOW has estimated the disproportionate assets at Rs 2.82 crore.

 

Officials said scrutiny of documents, jewellery, bank accounts and other valuables recovered during the raid is continuing and the value of the assets may increase as the investigation progresses. EOW has registered a case against the corrupt officer under Section 13(1)(B), 13(2) of IPC 1988 Amended 2018 while further investigation is underway.