13 kg gold, Rs 1.62 crore cash seized in raid at ex-UP transport officer's home
The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Department recovered 13 kilograms of gold and Rs 1.62 crore in cash during raids on former ARTO Lalit Kumar's premises. The seizure of hidden lockers, property papers and investment records has widened the corruption probe.
The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Department recovered 13 kilograms of gold and around Rs 1.62 crore in cash during raids on the premises of former Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Lalit Kumar, who was previously posted in Agra.
According to Vigilance officials, they had been receiving complaints for a long time alleging that Lalit Kumar had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. After verifying the allegations through intelligence inputs and a confidential inquiry, the agency obtained a search warrant from a special court and simultaneously raided his residence and other suspected properties.
During the searches, the vigilance team recovered bundles of cash, 13 kilograms of gold, gold and silver jewellery, expensive watches, and several financial documents. Officials seized approximately Rs 1.62 crore in cash, while the recovered gold is estimated to be worth several crores at current market rates. Experts are now assisting the agency in valuing the gold and verifying the seized assets.
Investigators also discovered multiple secret lockers concealed inside the walls of the house. Acting on suspicion after the initial search, the team thoroughly examined every room, wall, false panel, bed, furniture, false ceiling, and storage area.
The concealed lockers contained large quantities of cash, gold jewellery, and sensitive documents. According to vigilance sources, only Lalit Kumar knew about these hidden vaults, and even his family members were unaware of their existence.
The search operation witnessed a dramatic turn when officials encountered a high-tech automatic digital locker. When the team asked Lalit Kumar for its password, he repeatedly claimed that he had forgotten it, allegedly attempting to delay the investigation. The search remained stalled for nearly two hours before technical experts were called in to crack the digital safe.
After opening the locker and conducting another thorough search of the house, the vigilance team recovered a total of Rs 1.62 crore in cash hidden in packets across different rooms and cupboards. Officials also seized documents related to alleged benami properties, mutual fund investments, fixed deposits, and other substantial financial investments. Investigators are now cataloguing every seized item as they piece together the alleged network of illicit assets.
The investigation further revealed that Lalit Kumar and his family members allegedly purchased land, luxury houses, and plots worth crores of rupees in high-profile cities, including Lucknow, Agra, and Noida. The Vigilance Department is examining documents related to these immovable properties while also scrutinising bank lockers, investment records, and suspicious banking transactions.
According to Vigilance sources, a larger syndicate may have operated behind the alleged accumulation of these assets. Investigators are now trying to identify middlemen and other officials who may have assisted in building the alleged network. Officials said they are conducting forensic and financial scrutiny of the recovered cash and documents. After completing the investigation, the agency will register an FIR against Lalit Kumar under the Prevention of Corruption Act and initiate legal action.
The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Department recovered 13 kilograms of gold and around Rs 1.62 crore in cash during raids on the premises of former Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Lalit Kumar, who was previously posted in Agra.
According to Vigilance officials, they had been receiving complaints for a long time alleging that Lalit Kumar had amassed assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. After verifying the allegations through intelligence inputs and a confidential inquiry, the agency obtained a search warrant from a special court and simultaneously raided his residence and other suspected properties.
During the searches, the vigilance team recovered bundles of cash, 13 kilograms of gold, gold and silver jewellery, expensive watches, and several financial documents. Officials seized approximately Rs 1.62 crore in cash, while the recovered gold is estimated to be worth several crores at current market rates. Experts are now assisting the agency in valuing the gold and verifying the seized assets.
Investigators also discovered multiple secret lockers concealed inside the walls of the house. Acting on suspicion after the initial search, the team thoroughly examined every room, wall, false panel, bed, furniture, false ceiling, and storage area.
The concealed lockers contained large quantities of cash, gold jewellery, and sensitive documents. According to vigilance sources, only Lalit Kumar knew about these hidden vaults, and even his family members were unaware of their existence.
The search operation witnessed a dramatic turn when officials encountered a high-tech automatic digital locker. When the team asked Lalit Kumar for its password, he repeatedly claimed that he had forgotten it, allegedly attempting to delay the investigation. The search remained stalled for nearly two hours before technical experts were called in to crack the digital safe.
After opening the locker and conducting another thorough search of the house, the vigilance team recovered a total of Rs 1.62 crore in cash hidden in packets across different rooms and cupboards. Officials also seized documents related to alleged benami properties, mutual fund investments, fixed deposits, and other substantial financial investments. Investigators are now cataloguing every seized item as they piece together the alleged network of illicit assets.
The investigation further revealed that Lalit Kumar and his family members allegedly purchased land, luxury houses, and plots worth crores of rupees in high-profile cities, including Lucknow, Agra, and Noida. The Vigilance Department is examining documents related to these immovable properties while also scrutinising bank lockers, investment records, and suspicious banking transactions.
According to Vigilance sources, a larger syndicate may have operated behind the alleged accumulation of these assets. Investigators are now trying to identify middlemen and other officials who may have assisted in building the alleged network. Officials said they are conducting forensic and financial scrutiny of the recovered cash and documents. After completing the investigation, the agency will register an FIR against Lalit Kumar under the Prevention of Corruption Act and initiate legal action.
