Indore Official's Rs 1.73 Crore Asset Discrepancy Uncovered

Lokayukta officials in Indore conducted raids on Friday at two locations associated with Jitendra Kumar Pandey, an assistant revenue officer with the Indore Municipal Corporation. These searches were initiated after a case was filed against Pandey for allegedly holding assets significantly larger than his legitimate income sources. The operation involved two teams and approximately 20 officials, who searched Pandey's residence and a hostel building registered under his wife's name.

Pandey, who has been employed by the IMC for about 31 years, is estimated to have earned around Rs 80 lakh in salary. However, preliminary investigations indicate an expenditure of approximately Rs 2.53 crore. This represents a shortfall of Rs 1.73 crore compared to his known income, with the alleged disproportionate assets accounting for 216.35% of his legitimate earnings.

The investigation uncovered significant property acquisitions, including a three-storey building and a two-storey building housing a hostel, both registered in his wife Bhavna Pandey's name. The estimated construction costs for these properties are around Rs 1.20 crore and Rs 91.5 lakh, respectively. Additionally, vehicles were purchased in the names of his family members, with an estimated Rs 14 lakh spent on these and other expenses. A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the verification of property documents and other assets is ongoing.