In a significant political and legal development in Chhattisgarh, Congress legislator Baleshwar Sahu was arrested on Friday in connection with a multi-lakh rupee cheating and forgery case. The MLA from the Jaijaipur constituency was subsequently sent to judicial custody until January 22 after a Chief Judicial Magistrate's court rejected his bail application.
The Allegations and Police Investigation
The case stems from a complaint filed by Raj Kumar Sharma, a resident of Parsa Pali. Sharma alleged that the MLA, along with an accomplice named Gautam Rathore, defrauded him of a substantial sum of Rs 42.78 lakh between the years 2015 and 2020. During this period, Sahu was serving as the manager of a co-operative society in Bamhnidih, while Rathore worked as a sales agent.
According to the detailed complaint, the duo advised Sharma to avail a Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan against his 50 acres of land. Under this pretext, they facilitated the opening of an account for him at a private bank located in Champa. The complainant stated that the accused took blank cheques from him. It is alleged that Sahu then transferred Rs 24 lakh into his own account. Furthermore, Sharma accused them of forging his signature and thumbprint to illegally withdraw a total amount of Rs 42,78,000.
Legal Proceedings and Police Action
Based on Sharma's complaint lodged on October 3 last year, an First Information Report was registered at the Champa police station. The FIR invoked several sections of the Indian Penal Code, including 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document), and 34 (common intention).
Vijay Pandey, the Superintendent of Police for Janjgir-Champa district, confirmed the developments. "Upon investigation, the allegations were found to be true," stated Pandey. He elaborated on the process, saying, "After accepting the chargesheet, the honorable magistrate court issued a jail warrant. Subsequently, the accused (Sahu) filed an application for regular bail in the same court, which was rejected. We took him for a medical test and then he was sent to judicial custody."
Political Fallout and Congress's Reaction
The arrest has triggered a sharp political reaction. The Congress party in Chhattisgarh has vehemently denied the charges against its MLA, framing the incident as a politically motivated move by the ruling BJP. Sushil Anand Shukla, the head of communications for the Congress in the state, responded to the arrest by alleging a conspiracy.
"The BJP has hatched a conspiracy and booked our MLA," Shukla claimed. He expressed the party's faith in the judicial system, adding, "We have full faith in the judiciary and we believe he will be acquitted of all charges." This statement sets the stage for a potential political confrontation, with the case likely to be used as ammunition by both sides in the state's charged political arena.
The case highlights ongoing tensions in Chhattisgarh politics and brings focus to allegations of financial misconduct. With the MLA now in judicial custody until January 22, the legal process will be closely watched, as will the political narrative constructed around it by the opposing parties.
