Bhopal woke up to what felt like a scene from a crime thriller on Thursday when the Lokayukta, Madhya Pradesh’s anti-corruption watchdog, raided the home and properties of retired Public Works Department (PWD) Chief Engineer G.P. Mehra. What began as a routine investigation into disproportionate assets soon turned into one of the most shocking corruption cases the state has seen in years.

Officials discovered such an enormous amount of wealth that money-counting machines had to be brought in. Along with gold worth over ₹3 crore and silver by the kilos, investigators stumbled upon something truly unexpected: 17 tonnes of honey stored at Mehra’s farmhouse.

The early morning raid was led by four Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officers. Teams searched four locations in Bhopal and Narmadapuram.

At Mehra’s upscale home in Manipuram Colony, officials found ₹8.79 lakh in cash, jewellery worth nearly ₹50 lakh, and fixed deposits of ₹56 lakh.

But the real shock came from his second residence, a plush apartment in Opal Regency near Dana Pani. Here, the Lokayukta team discovered ₹26 lakh in cash, 2.6 kg of gold worth ₹3.05 crore, and 5.5 kg of silver.

If the city homes spoke of luxury, Mehra’s farmhouse in village Saini, Sohagpur (Narmadapuram) revealed something out of the ordinary. The sprawling property housed 17 tonnes of honey, six tractors, 32 under-construction cottages, and seven completed cottages. There was even a private pond with fish, a cowshed, a temple, and several luxury cars, including a Ford Endeavour, Skoda Slavia, Kia Sonet, and Maruti Ciaz, all registered under the Mehra family.

The raid also extended to KT Industries in Govindpura Industrial Area, believed to be linked to Mehra. Officials found equipment, raw materials, ₹1.25 lakh in cash, and documents showing his relatives’ involvement in the business.

By evening, the Lokayukta’s haul read like the inventory of a royal treasury, ₹36.04 lakh in cash, 2.649 kg of gold, 5.523 kg of silver, fixed deposits, insurance papers, share documents, and multiple luxury properties.

Officials said the valuation of seized assets is still underway and could run into several crores. Meanwhile, forensic teams are examining documents, digital files, and banking records to trace possible benami investments.