Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: EOW Files Ninth Supplementary Chargesheet, Names Ex-CM's Aide
In a significant development in the high-profile liquor scam case, the State Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Wednesday submitted the ninth supplementary chargesheet before a special court in Raipur. This latest legal filing pertains to the alleged Rs 2883 crore liquor scam that has rocked Chhattisgarh, implicating key figures from the previous Congress government led by former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
Accused Named in Latest Chargesheet
The chargesheet names three arrested individuals, each accused of playing distinct roles in the elaborate scheme. Saumya Chaurasia, who served as the deputy secretary to the chief minister's office (CMO) under Baghel, is alleged to have misused her official position to provide protection and administrative support to the liquor syndicate. According to the EOW, her active involvement was crucial in coordinating activities that resulted in an irreparable loss to the state exchequer.
Krishna Kumar Srivastava is accused of playing a central role in the movement of illicit funds. The probe agency claims he was involved in the collection, transport, and management of illegal cash, as well as misusing his influence to invest the proceeds of crime. Devendra Dadsena, formerly an accountant at Rajiv Bhavan, allegedly acted as a conduit for the syndicate, with his role involving receiving, securing, and distributing illegal funds as per instructions.
Scope and Impact of the Liquor Scam
The alleged liquor scam occurred in Chhattisgarh between 2019 and 2023 during the Congress administration. It involved accusations that a criminal syndicate, in collusion with political and administrative authorities, supplied liquor to government shops while extorting illegal commissions. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has estimated the loss to the state exchequer at a staggering Rs 2883 crore.
With this ninth supplementary chargesheet, the EOW has now filed charges against a total of 51 individuals in the ongoing investigation. The case involves various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code, including charges of cheating (section 420), forgery (sections 467, 468, 471), and criminal conspiracy (section 120-B).
Ongoing Investigations and Future Proceedings
The EOW has indicated that the probe is far from over, with investigations continuing into the involvement of other government officials, private individuals, political figures, and various firms or companies linked to the syndicate. Agencies including the EOW and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) have uncovered evidence of a parallel syndicate that allegedly collected illegal commissions from liquor sales and manipulated distribution channels.
Probe reports suggest widespread involvement of bureaucrats, businessmen, and persons linked to the political establishment, leading to substantial financial losses for the state. Multiple chargesheets have been filed, and money laundering angles are also under scrutiny. Raids, arrests, and court proceedings are ongoing as agencies continue to expand the investigation, with the EOW stating that further chargesheets will be presented in court as more evidence becomes available.
