LUCKNOW: The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment carried out search operations on July 7 and 8 at the Lucknow residence of former Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) of Agra, Lalit Kumar, in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The searches led to the recovery of cash, gold, silver and documents relating to several movable and immovable properties allegedly acquired beyond his known sources of income.Lalit Kumar, son of Rajaram and a native of Senhgo Kothi behind Milan Cinema in Rae Bareli, is currently residing at C-143, Sector-E, Chandralok Colony, Aliganj, Lucknow. Following an inquiry, a case (Crime No. 10/2024) was registered against him under Sections 13(1)(b) read with 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, at the Anti-Corruption Police Station, Kanpur Range. The investigation is being conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment, Lucknow Sector, under the directions of the state government.During the investigation, the investigating officer obtained a search warrant from the competent court to conduct searches at the accused’s residence. Acting on the warrant, a vigilance team carried out searches on July 7 and 8 at Lalit Kumar’s house in Aliganj.Officials said the searches led to the seizure of approximately Rs 1.62 crore in cash, which had allegedly been packed in bundles and concealed at different locations inside the house. The cash was recovered after an extensive search of the premises.The vigilance team also recovered a large quantity of precious metals and jewellery.According to officials, the seized valuables include around 13 kilograms of gold in the form of biscuits, bars and ornaments, and approximately 9 kilograms of silver in the form of bars, biscuits and jewellery. The items were assessed by a government-approved valuer, who estimated the value of the recovered gold, silver and jewellery at around Rs 20 crore.Apart from the cash and valuables, investigators recovered several property documents indicating substantial investments in movable and immovable assets. A preliminary scrutiny revealed ownership of, or investments in, at least 15 properties, including residential houses, plots, agricultural land and flat bookings in Lucknow, Noida, Barabanki and Rae Bareli.The immovable assets identified during the searches include two residential properties in Aliganj, Lucknow; residential plots at Bharawan Kala, Ismailganj and Vrindavan Yojana in Lucknow; a residential house at Banarasi Tola, Aliganj; agricultural land in Mohanlalganj, Begaria, Barabanki and Rae Bareli; and flat bookings in real estate projects in Lucknow and Noida.Officials estimated the value of the identified immovable properties at approximately Rs 13 crore.The Vigilance Establishment said the investigation is continuing, and the recovered documents are being examined to determine the full extent of the assets allegedly acquired beyond Lalit Kumar’s known sources of income. Further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing probe.
