Retired PWD engineer, 3 others booked after Rs 3.02 crore cash seized in MP

The Lokayukta Special Police Establishment (SPE) has registered an FIR against retired Public Works Department (PWD) engineer Ramesh Ahirwar, his wife Sahodra Bai, Saurabh Ahirwar and his brother Ankit Ahirwar after police recovered Rs 3.02 crore in cash from a house in Sagar, Madhya Pradesh. The raid on August 16 followed a social media post showing auto driver Saurabh Ahirwar with a gun-shaped lighter.

Police seized the cash from a locked almirah at Saurabh's residence. Saurabh told investigators the money belonged to his distant relative, retired PWD engineer Ramesh Ahirwar. Though Ramesh initially denied any connection, investigators traced a barcode on the almirah to a purchase by his wife Sahodra Bai in 2025. The couple had bought the Rs 34,000 almirah, which was allegedly used to store the cash at Saurabh's house. Saurabh had earlier worked as Ramesh's driver.

Police also found a Rs 50,000 transaction in the bank account of Saurabh and Ankit's aunt, linking the brothers further. The Lokayukta has formed a five-member team led by a deputy superintendent of police to investigate. Investigators will examine Ramesh Ahirwar's salary records, land holdings, houses, bank accounts and other assets as part of a disproportionate assets inquiry involving benami cash.