The inauguration of a steel processing unit owned by Vinod Kheria by chief minister Jitan Ram Manjhi in Patna yesterday has created ripples in the state’s political as well as bureaucratic circles.

Kheria’s name had come to the fore about three months ago when he had claimed before senior police officers in Patna that the huge amount of cash, which was stolen from former minister and Nawada MP Giriraj Singh’s flat on Boring Road, belonged to him.

The police had arrested four persons and recovered cash amounting to Rs 1.14 crore from their possession while they were attempting to escape with the suitcase containing the money in an auto-rickshaw after stealing the same from the senior BJP leader’s flat on July 8 this year.

Police officers associated with the investigation into the case, lodged with SK Puri police station, said Kheria and Akhilesh Bajaj had deposed before the probe team and furnished details of their bank transaction to substantiate their claim for the money.

SK Puri police station house officer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar said the seized money had been deposited in the district treasury as the case was still pending.

He added that a team of income tax department had also visited the police station and inquired about the matter.

“Now, the ball is in the court of the income tax department, which is empowered to quiz about the source of income from both the claimants,” he said on Sunday.

Surprisingly, Giriraj, a staunch supporter of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had initially told the police officers that a theft was committed in his flat and cash amounting to Rs 50,000 was stolen.

However, a major controversy raked up after the police recovered Rs 1.14 crore and $600 from the four suitcases that were being ferried in the auto-rickshaw.

In addition, Giriraj had mentioned in his election affidavit that he had only Rs 2 lakh in cash.

A source said Kheria, who has his business outside the state, also enjoyed good relations with Sadhu Yadav, former MP and brother-in-law of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. Interestingly, cash over Rs 2 crore was stolen from the Birla Colony residence of Sadhu about a month later.

A special investigation team headed by then Patna senior superintendent of police Manu Maharaaj could finally lay its hands on the thieves and major part of the stolen money.

Giriraj could not be contacted for his comments.