Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment detected alleged disproportionate assets worth nearly Rs 35 crore during a two-day search operation at the Lucknow residence of former assistant regional transport officer (ARTO) of Agra, Lalit Kumar.The searches were conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday at Kumar’s house in Aliganj as part of an investigation into alleged possession of assets disproportionate to known sources of income, officials said.Kumar, a native of Rae Bareli, is being investigated in a case registered in 2024 at the Anti-Corruption police station in Kanpur.The probe is being handled by the Lucknow sector of the Vigilance Establishment on the directions of the state govt, officials added.Vigilance officials said they obtained a search warrant from a local court for the searches.The team recovered around Rs 1.62 crore in cash, which officials said was concealed in packets found at different places in the house.As per an assessment by a govt-approved valuer, the seized items include around 13kg gold in the form of biscuits, bars and ornaments, and about 9kg of silver, including bricks, biscuits and jewellery. The estimated market value of the precious metals and ornaments has been put at around Rs 20 crore.Investigators seized documents indicating substantial investments in movable and immovable properties. The vigilance establishment said papers point to ownership or investment in 15 immovable properties, including houses, plots, agricultural land and booked flats in Lucknow, Noida, Barabanki and Rae Bareli, with an estimated value of about Rs 13 crore.Officials said documents also suggest investments exceeding Rs 1 crore in bank accounts, post office schemes, mutual funds and fixed deposits. Two cars —a Toyota Innova and a Hyundai i20 — along with a revolver, were found during the search. The team also prepared an inventory of household furnishings, interiors and electronic appliances, noting significant expenditure on the residence.Vigilance officials said the assets recovered are being verified and will be included in the ongoing investigation before further legal action. The DGP and director of the Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Establishment announced a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh for the Lucknow sector team for executing the operation.
