Bhopal/Indore, July 6, 2026
The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Bhopal Zonal Office, has filed a charge sheet against Dharmendra Singh Bhadauria, former district excise officer of Alirajpur, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The charge sheet was submitted to the Special Court (PMLA) in Indore, which promptly issued a notice to the accused. The case originates from an FIR registered by the Special Police Establishment (SPE), Lokayukta, Indore, charging Bhadauria under various provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018).
According to an ED press note issued on Monday, the allegations pertain to the acquisition of disproportionate assets relative to his known sources of income during his service in the Excise Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh.
ED’s thorough investigation revealed that Dharmendra Singh Bhadauria knowingly acquired, possessed, concealed, and projected proceeds of crime as untainted property. He allegedly invested illicit funds into high-value movable and immovable assets, registered not only in his own name but also in the names of his family members.
These assets were found to be grossly disproportionate to his legitimate income, thereby qualifying as Proceeds of Crime under the PMLA. The total value of Proceeds of Crime identified and quantified during the probe stands at Rs 18.20 crore.
In a decisive move, the ED had earlier issued a provisional attachment order under the PMLA, 2002, attaching movable and immovable properties worth exactly Rs 18.20 crore. The seized assets include cash, gold and silver items, multiple immovable properties, and other valuables acquired through suspected illicit means.
This case underscores deep-rooted corruption within the state’s excise department, which regulates the liquor trade and generates significant revenue for the government. By routing ill-gotten gains into family-held properties, the accused allegedly attempted to create a facade of legitimate wealth.
The development sends a strong message that no public servant is beyond the reach of anti-corruption agencies. Legal proceedings are now underway in the Special Court, where the prosecution will present evidence gathered during the investigation. If convicted, Bhadauria faces severe penalties, including up to 7 years’ imprisonment and hefty fines under the PMLA.(Agency)
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