Madhya Pradesh IT Raid: Gold Worth ₹14 Crore, Luxury Cars, and 3 Crocodiles Seized at Ex-BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore’s Properties

Madhya Pradesh IT Raid: A high-profile Income Tax raid in Madhya Pradesh has unearthed startling evidence of tax evasion and undisclosed assets at the residences of former BJP MLA Harvansh Singh Rathore and his aide, Rajesh Kesharwani. Among the most unusual discoveries were three live crocodiles found in a pond at Rathore’s property in Bhopal.

The raids on properties in Bhopal and Sagar exposed an alleged ₹155 crore of tax evasion while beginning on Sunday. IT officials seized ₹3 crore in cash, 14 kilograms of gold, and some silver jewelry by significant quantities. Several imported luxury cars, that were registered with dubious ownership, were also taken into custody.

Three crocodiles were being kept in a small pond in Rathore’s residence, for which the forest department was brought into the fray. ₹14 crore worth of gold and heavy cash reserves were also found and Rathore is accused of having evaded tax amounting to ₹15 crore.

At Kesharwani’s residence, officers found luxury cars registered under names not linked to his family. Officials are tracing the origins and sought details from the Transport department. Documents showed Kesharwani had managed to avoid tax of ₹140 crore; the business activities stretched into beedi and construction.

He is an MLA for the Sagar district from 2013 by-elections as a BJP member. His father is a minister of the Madhya Pradesh government; Harvansh Singh Rathore has always been a shining face in politics and business within the region.
Kesharwani was a councillor too and is into the beedi and construction sectors, and some of his successful businesses are a testimonial for him.

The Income Tax department has intensified its probe into the matter, focusing on the sources of the benami cars and other undisclosed assets. Additional legal questions are raised by the discovery of crocodiles at Rathore’s residence, and forest officials have begun investigating whether they violate wildlife protection laws.

The raids have sent shockwaves in the political circles of Madhya Pradesh, especially as the state is gearing up for the assembly elections. The opposition parties have taken this opportunity to criticize the BJP and demand transparency and accountability.

The Income Tax department will come up with a detailed report of its findings. There would be legal actions including penalty and possible criminal cases that will ensue after further investigations. The raid did not only reveal the financial anomaly but also came up with the discovery of crocodiles, showing how the case was vast and intricate.