The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched a major corruption probe against a senior official of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in Nagpur and his spouse. The agency has registered a case alleging the couple accumulated wealth far beyond their legitimate earnings.
FIR Details Massive Wealth Discrepancy
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the CBI's Anti-Corruption Branch in Nagpur has charged Sandeep Singh, an Area Sales Manager at WCL, and his wife Sweta Singh. The case centers on assets worth ₹45.23 lakh that the couple allegedly could not account for based on their known income sources.
The scrutiny period defined by investigators spans from August 1, 2023, to August 31, 2025. During this two-year window, the couple's total income from all declared sources was approximately ₹1.27 crore. However, their asset portfolio told a different story.
At the start of the probe, their assets were valued at ₹1.62 crore. Astonishingly, this figure ballooned to ₹2.87 crore by the end of August 2025. This meant the family acquired new assets worth ₹1.25 crore in just two years.
Unexplained Surplus Leads to Charges
After accounting for family expenditures of ₹48 lakh and estimated savings of nearly ₹80 lakh (₹79.98 lakh), investigators were left with a glaring surplus of ₹45.23 lakh. This unexplained wealth forms the core of the disproportionate assets case.
The CBI has invoked serious sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act against Sandeep Singh for criminal misconduct. His wife, Sweta, faces charges of abetment, as many of the assets are held jointly. The FIR also includes conspiracy clauses from the Indian Penal Code and the newer Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Nationwide Raids and Major Recoveries
In swift follow-up action, CBI teams conducted coordinated raids on December 20 at multiple locations linked to the couple. The searches spanned cities including Nagpur, Mohali, and Dhanbad.
The operations yielded significant recoveries, underscoring the scale of the alleged accumulation. Items seized and identified include:
- ₹17 lakh in cash.
- Approximately 900 grams of gold.
- A luxury vehicle.
- A residential house in Mohali.
- Three agricultural land parcels in Dhanbad.
- Various other movable and immovable properties.
Career Path and Ongoing Investigation
Sandeep Singh's career trajectory is under the scanner. He began as a management trainee in sales and marketing at Bharat Coking Coal Limited in Dhanbad. He later transferred to Western Coalfields Limited in November 2024, initially taking up the role of Senior Sales Manager before being promoted to Area Sales Manager.
The investigation is being led by Superintendent of Police Rishikesh Sonawane. As of now, no arrests have been made in the case, but the probe is actively ongoing. The CBI continues to examine financial documents and property records to establish the full extent of the alleged disproportionate assets.
