The Uttar Pradesh Vigilance Department has registered a formal case against retired Additional Commissioner of Commercial Tax, Keshav Lal, following an investigation into assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The probe has revealed that the former official accumulated property and assets valued at over 100 crore rupees. According to official findings, Lal spent approximately 17.26 crore rupees beyond his legal earnings during his tenure. The Vigilance Department’s Kanpur sector filed the report under the Prevention of Corruption Act after receiving the necessary sanctions from the state government.
Links to Pan Masala Tax Evasion Firms
The investigation into Keshav Lal’s financial dealings gained significant momentum following allegations of his involvement with pan masala manufacturing units in Kanpur. It was alleged that the former official colluded with these firms to facilitate tax evasion. During a specific operation, a mobile squad led by then Assistant Commissioner Sunil Prakash intercepted and seized 160 bags of brand-name pan masala and tobacco from transport corporations. Lal reportedly expressed his displeasure over this enforcement action and was accused of threatening junior officials to protect the interests of the firms involved. Subsequent raids on a warehouse in Kanpur led to the recovery of goods worth 3.72 crore rupees, further cementing his links to the tax evasion network.
Cash Seizures from Residential Properties
The scrutiny of Keshav Lal’s wealth dates back to April 2017 when he was still posted in Kanpur. A massive raid conducted by the Income Tax Department at his Noida residence led to the recovery of 10 cash and 3 crore rupees worth of jewelry. Investigators discovered bundles of currency notes hidden in unusual locations, including inside mattresses, within a prayer room, and inside cupboards. Reports indicate that even the flush tanks in bathrooms were used to conceal cash. When questioned at the time, the official was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation for the source of the recovered funds.
Administrative Consequences and Asset Portfolio
In light of the initial findings in 2017, the state government ordered Lal’s compulsory retirement and a total deduction of his pension benefits. The subsequent detailed inquiry by the Vigilance Department uncovered a vast real estate portfolio spanning five major cities. Records show that Keshav Lal owns two properties in Lucknow and individual holdings in Kanpur, Prayagraj, Ghaziabad, and Noida. These properties are estimated to be worth several crores. Following the submission of the final inquiry report to the government, the case has now been handed over to a gazetted officer for further criminal investigation and prosecution.
