MP Lokayukta Conducts Searches at Three Premises Linked to Cooperative Society Manager

The searches were conducted at locations associated with Sher Singh Thakur, manager of the Adivasi Jati Seva Cooperative Society, in Sodpur, Nalchha and Mandav.

According to the Lokayukta, Thakur earned approximately Rs 65 lakh in salary over nearly 20 years of service. However, his assets and expenditure during the same period have been provisionally estimated at Rs 2.41 crore — around 271.46 per cent higher than his known legitimate income.

A case under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, has been registered against him.

Properties and Assets Under Investigation

The preliminary inquiry found that Thakur allegedly purchased a 0.152-hectare plot in Sodpur village, Nalchha, on which a two-storey house measuring approximately 2,400 square feet was constructed. The estimated cost of the land and construction is Rs 97 lakh.

He is also alleged to have acquired a commercial building of around 1,350 square feet near the Sodpur T-junction on Mandav Road, valued at approximately Rs 20 lakh.

Investigators further identified agricultural land registered in the name of his wife, Kavita Thakur. The properties include 0.645 hectares in Sodpur village, reportedly purchased for around Rs 8 lakh, and 2.526 hectares in Mandav village, valued at approximately Rs 42 lakh.

The assets identified during the preliminary investigation also include a JCB machine, a tractor, two cars, a motorcycle and agricultural equipment, with a combined estimated value of around Rs 53 lakh.

Officials have additionally received information about another building suspected to be benami property. Its ownership is currently being examined.

Investigation and Search Operation

Three teams are carrying out the searches under the supervision of Lokayukta Superintendent of Police Rajesh Sahay. The teams are led by DSP Anand Chauhan and inspectors Ashutosh Mithas, Pratibha Tomar and Sachin Pateria.

The operation was initiated on the directions of Lokayukta Director General Yogesh Deshmukh and under the guidance of DIG Manoj Singh.

Sahay said searches and the examination of documents were continuing. He added that the final valuation of the properties and the assessment of any disproportionate assets would be determined after the investigation is completed.