PATNA: The vigilance investigation bureau on Friday opened the second locker in the name of Rohtas district land acquisition officer Rajesh Kumar Gupta’s wife Anita Gupta and recovered Rs 7.91 lakh and gold and silver jewellery worth Rs 10.34 lakh from it.
The locker is with Axis bank's branch in Sasaram, Rohtas. The locker was opened after court’s permission.
It was sealed immediately after vigilance came to know about it during raid at four locations which included two flats in Anandpuri and Nageshwar colony locality in state capital, a lavish residence with expensive interior designing at Gupta’s native place in Forbesganj, Araria and his office and official residence in Sasaram on November 27.
With the fresh recoveries, the estimated value of disproportionate assets allegedly amassed by the DLAO in his and his family members’ name has climbed upto Rs 2.38 crore, with Friday’s recoveries.
Vigilance had information of only Rs 90.11 lakh disproportionate assets when it had conducted raids against the officer after registering a disproportionate case against him on November 25. Gupta was also handling tje additional charge of Sasaram municipal commissioner.
Vigilance sources said the Axis bank locker was the last known locker to them till now.
“Further investigation is on. The value of his disproportionate assets may increase further with proper scrutiny of all documents seized during raids which are going on,” a senior officer said.
Earlier on November 4, vigilance had recovered around one kilogram of gold jewelleries and 750 grams of silver jewelleries worth at least Rs 47.36 lakh from a locker with Bank of India in Boring Canal road in state capital. This locker was also in the name of Gupta’s wife.
Vigilance sources said they have altogether till now able to recover Rs 29.63 lakh in cash, jewelleries worth at least Rs 1.19 crore, deeds and documents of six flats, four bigha land in Purnia, 55000 square feet plot with a building on it in Ranchi having estimated market value of Rs 50 crore and 39 more plots measuring in katthas and 25 passbooks of different bank accounts in course of investigation, raids and search.
