Chhattisgarh High Court Grants Bail to Former CMO Official in Liquor Scam Cases
The Chhattisgarh High Court has granted bail to Saumya Chaurasia, a former deputy secretary in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) during the previous Congress government, in two cases connected to the state's liquor scam. This development follows extensive legal proceedings and arguments from both prosecution and defense counsels.
Background of the Liquor Scam Investigation
The alleged liquor scam occurred in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2023 during the Congress administration led by Bhupesh Baghel. According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the scam involved a criminal syndicate that, in collusion with political and administrative authorities, supplied liquor to government shops while extorting illegal commissions. The ED has estimated the financial loss to the state exchequer at approximately Rs 2,883 crore.
The state Economic Offences Wing (EOW) is investigating the criminal aspects of the scam, having registered an FIR on January 17, 2024. Meanwhile, the ED is probing money laundering allegations after filing an ECIR on April 11, 2024.
Court Proceedings and Bail Arguments
Justice Arvind Kumar Verma had reserved his order on February 24 after hearing both bail applications. On Saturday, the court granted bail to Chaurasia in both the EOW and ED cases.
Prosecution's Opposition: The EOW's counsel, Additional Advocate General Praveen Das, strongly opposed the bail application. He argued that Chaurasia "commanded exceptional influence and authority, wielding the same to orchestrate and facilitate the nefarious operations of the syndicate implicated in this colossal liquor scam." Das cited incriminating digital evidence and claimed investigations revealed her "active and conscious participation in the criminal conspiracy, placing her at the nerve centre of the syndicate's operations."
In the ED case, the central agency claimed Chaurasia had received around Rs 43.50 crore from the proceeds of the liquor scam and allegedly handled, assisted, acquired, and possessed proceeds of crime amounting to approximately Rs 115.5 crore. ED counsel Zohaib Hossain maintained that Chaurasia played a key supervisory role in money laundering and that WhatsApp chats constitute valid evidence, with no requirement for recovery from the accused.
Defense's Counterarguments: Chaurasia's lawyer, Siddhartha Dave, presented 20 arguments in the EOW case and 26 points in the ED case. He contended that her arrest was unnecessary, no incriminating material existed, and she was not named in the FIR or chargesheets. Dave emphasized that Chaurasia is a woman, the probe is complete, no proceeds of crime were recovered, and the case largely relied on statements of co-accused. He further argued that selective arrests over years and a prolonged trial justified granting bail.
Court's Reasoning for Granting Bail
In the EOW case, the court's order noted: "these circumstances unmistakably indicate that the trial is unlikely to commence and conclude in the near future and is bound to consume considerable time before reaching its logical conclusion." It added that continued detention "would not serve the ends of justice."
For the ED case, Justice Verma granted bail, observing that the investigation was substantially complete. The court stated that "the case against the applicant is largely based on statements and inferential allegations, the evidentiary value of which will be examined during trial."
The order also cited Supreme Court directives on parity, highlighting that the alleged principal conspirators have already been granted bail. It noted: "The SC has already granted bail to the applicant in the coal scam as well as in the DMF scam, and therefore, continued detention in the present matter would be inconsistent with the settled principle of parity."
Furthermore, the court referred to a "troubling pattern" against Chaurasia, mentioning that she "faces six arrests across multiple cases by diverse agencies (ED/CBI), entailing considerable aggregate incarcerations." She was first arrested in the coal levy scam in 2022.
Implications and Next Steps
This bail grant represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation into Chhattisgarh's liquor scam. While Chaurasia has been released on bail, the legal proceedings against her and other accused individuals are expected to continue as both the EOW and ED pursue their respective investigations. The court's emphasis on trial delays and parity principles may influence future bail applications in similar high-profile cases involving multiple agencies and prolonged investigations.
The case continues to highlight the complex interplay between state and central agencies in investigating alleged financial crimes with political dimensions. As the trial progresses, further evidence and legal arguments will determine the ultimate outcome for all parties involved in this substantial alleged scam that has captured significant public and judicial attention.
