Lokayukta Probe Finds ₹17.12 Crore Assets Linked To MP Official

The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta has intensified its investigation against Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company Additional Chief Engineer Shivram Semil.

A search operation was conducted at his residence and other locations on July 21, and the Lokayukta team collected details of bank accounts belonging to Semil and his family members.

The investigation revealed that Semil's family has multiple bank accounts, including a salary account, recurring deposit account, and savings accounts in the State Bank of India (SBI) and IDBI.

The probe also found that Semil's son, Saurabh Semil, has two fixed deposits in SBI's Pithampur branch, and six bank accounts linked to firms named Shubham Electrical and Cornish Powerzone were also found.

A total balance of ₹62.89 lakh was found across these accounts. The Lokayukta has informed the concerned department about the alleged offence and has initiated the process of obtaining registration documents of properties allegedly purchased by Semil.

The investigation has revealed that Semil allegedly purchased a 20x40 feet plot in Morena and around 1.25 bigha of agricultural land, with the value of the house estimated at around ₹50 lakh.

Movable assets worth ₹7.51 lakh were found at a residence in Morena. The Lokayukta has written to the Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company seeking details of Semil's service record and has sought information regarding income tax returns filed by Semil and his family members from the Income Tax Department.

The bank accounts of Semil, his family members, and related firms have been frozen, and the Lokayukta has approached SEBI seeking details of any investments made by Semil and his family in the stock market or mutual funds.

According to the Lokayukta, a preliminary reassessment of expenses and assets has found that Semil and his family have spent around ₹17.12 crore on movable and immovable properties.

The investigation is currently underway, with the Lokayukta seeking to uncover the source of the funds used to purchase these assets.

This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public office, and the need for officials to disclose their assets and income.

The outcome of the investigation will be closely watched, as it has the potential to impact the reputation of the Madhya Pradesh West Zone Electricity Distribution Company and the state government as a whole.

In the meantime, the freezing of bank accounts and the seeking of income tax details will likely put pressure on Semil and his family to explain the source of their wealth.

The investigation is a significant development in the fight against corruption in Madhya Pradesh, and it remains to be seen what further action will be taken against Semil and his family.