In a significant development, the Maharashtra Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) raided the house of forest officer Sandeep Choure and uncovered a staggering Rs.1.31 crore in cash, along with 57 tolas of gold ornaments. Choure, who has been booked for allegedly demanding a 20 lakh bribe from a villager to return his land, is now under investigation.
The raid took place on Tuesday evening at Choure’s residence in Palghar, where ACB officials discovered a large cache of cash amounting to Rs.1,31,96,000. In addition to the money, the officers also found 57 tolas of gold jewelry, raising further questions about the officer’s unexplained wealth. Documents of two flats were also seized during the operation—one located in Khandala, Beed (584 sq feet), and the other in Karanjade, Navi Mumbai.
The ACB is continuing its probe into Choure’s assets and illicit activities. The forest officer is suspected of using his position to extort money from a villager who sought his help in regaining his property. Choure’s alleged demand for the bribe, in exchange for land restitution, forms the basis of the charges against him.
ACB officials, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) in Palghar, have emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, and more details may emerge as they delve deeper into Choure’s financial dealings. The authorities are also looking into the source of the wealth and whether it is linked to other illegal activities.
