BHOPAL: The income-tax department launched simultaneous searches on 52 premises of three construction and land brokerage firms in Bhopal, Indore and Gwalior on Wednesday.
As many as 49 of these locations were in Bhopal, and two in Indore.
I-T officers said the investigation has so far uncovered 10 lockers registered in the name of builder Rajesh Sharma, and jewellery, whose valuation is underway.
The investigation team seized Rs 3 crore in cash, including Rs 1.2 crore from another builder. They also confiscated a large number of documents, mobile phones, and computer hard disks.
Sharma, who was awarded the contract to build CM Rise Schools, including one in Raisen, is known for his ties with influential figures, and is said to have close relations with a former BJP minister.
Apart from Sharma, the searches extended to other property dealers, including Deepak Bhavsar, Vinod Agarwal, and Rupam Shivani. Officials said the builders searched are known for their involvement in land transactions and investments in the hotel sector.
