Indore Scam: EOW Raids IMC Official For Disproportionate Assets; Accused Of Assets Over 12 Times His Income
Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Two teams of the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) raided the residence and office of Chetan Patil, assistant superintendent in the garden department of the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC), on Tuesday morning for allegedly amassing assets over 12 times his known sources of income.
Superintendent of Police (EOW) Rameshwar Singh Yadav told reporters, “The action was taken following a complaint against garden officer Chetan Patil regarding corruption in the purchase of plants worth Rs 4 crore and other related matters.”
“So far, movable and immovable assets belonging to Patil and his family, with an estimated value of Rs 1.84 crore, have been found — far exceeding their legal income,” the official added.
The discovered assets include two plots, a three-storey house, Rs 1.14 lakh in cash, and jewellery valued at Rs 20 lakh. Approximately Rs 40 lakh is deposited in various bank accounts, the official said.
Patil has also invested Rs 25 lakh in 18 insurance schemes under the names of his wife and children.
The EOW conducted simultaneous searches at Patil’s residence in Gulmohar Colony and his office in the IMC building. The operation lasted over an hour, after which the office was sealed. Patil has been overseeing garden-related works in the civic body for several years. During the search, officials seized documents, bank passbooks and property-related records.
Sources familiar with the investigation revealed that Patil, who has been associated with the Horticulture Department for many years, had previously faced internal allegations of financial irregularities, including the suspected misuse of public funds.
A case has been registered against Patil under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, and a detailed evaluation of the properties recovered during the raids is underway. Investigations are ongoing, and officials suspect the total value of the assets may rise further. Bank transactions and investment details are being thoroughly reviewed.
Started career as a muster worker
“Patil had joined the Municipal Corporation as a muster roll (temporary) worker. According to initial information, he earned only Rs 15–17 lakh in total salary over more than 20 years of government service,” Yadav said.
Complaint linked to Rs 4 crore plant purchase
The EOW received a complaint alleging corruption in the Rs 4 crore plant purchase for city beautification and events, including the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) summit in Indore.
Key assets recovered:
Two plots in Bhangarh, Gulmohar Green Colony (Plot Nos. 14 and 110) worth Rs 28.6 lakh
A G+2 house on Plot No. 14 valued at Rs 42 lakh
Rs 11.6 lakh spent on property development in Gulmohar Green Colony
A two-wheeler worth Rs 52,000
Rs 40.33 lakh in his mother’s bank account
Jewellery valued at Rs 20 lakh
Household investments worth Rs 13 lakh
Rs 1.14 lakh in cash
Rs 25 lakh invested in 18 insurance policies
Second action against IMC official in recent months
This is the second such action against an IMC official in recent months. In March, the EOW raided properties linked to Rajesh Parmar, a suspended Assistant Revenue Officer, in connection with similar charges of possessing disproportionate assets.
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