Bihar Vigilance Bureau officials on Saturday raided two flats of former Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami, who is evading arrest in the multi-crore flood aid scam, in Lucknow and in Patna.

The officials have seized some important documents related to purchase of the houses. Sources told redif.com that the raids were to force Goswami to surrender.

Goswami, who was declared absconder by the vigilance bureau following a non bailable arrest warrant issued against him and others accused in the scam.

Goswami's anticipatory bail petition hearing in Patna high court is due on Monday.

Additional Director General (Vigilance), Neelmani said that a vigilance team from Patna searched a double-storey house, in 'Vipul Khand' in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar locality, which Goswami had purchased in April this year for Rs 33 lakh.

He said that officials suspect the actual cost of the house may be higher. "We have procured a copy of the sale deed and requested the local registry office and the concerned district magistrate not to allow sale of the property," he said.

He said the agency's sleuths in Patna searched a flat owned by Goswami in Queen's Tower and another in Gangotri Apartment in posh Gandhi Maidan locality.

Only last week pictures of Goswami were displayed in public places in Patna. The posters declared Goswami an absconder.