The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday took into custody Saumya Chaurasia, who served as deputy secretary to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The arrest is linked to the high-profile alleged liquor scam that is said to have caused irregularities worth over Rs 3,000 crore during the previous state government's term.
Details of the Arrest and Court Proceedings
According to her legal representative, Faizal Rizwi, Chaurasia was taken into custody around 5:30 pm following a routine questioning session by the federal probe agency. She is scheduled to be presented before a special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) on Wednesday around noon.
The action by the ED stems from a First Information Report (FIR) originally filed with the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau. The agency's investigation has reportedly uncovered a syndicate that manipulated the excise policy system to generate massive illegal funds.
The Alleged Scam Syndicate and Key Accused
The ED's findings point to a network involving senior bureaucrats and businessmen. Named in the probe are senior IAS officer Anil Tuteja, former managing director of the Excise Department, AP Tripathi, and businessman Anwar Dhebar. They are alleged to have been part of a group that systematically exploited the state's excise system for unlawful gains.
Connection to Previous Coal Levy Scam and Bail Conditions
This is not the first legal trouble for Saumya Chaurasia. She was previously arrested in December 2022 in connection with the separate but significant Rs 570 crore coal levy scam. In May of this year, the Supreme Court granted her interim bail in that case along with six other accused, including two suspended IAS officers, Ranu Sahu and Sameer Vishnoi.
The Supreme Court had imposed strict conditions for their release. The individuals were ordered to immediately leave Chhattisgarh and not reside in the state until further court orders, citing apprehensions about possible witness tampering. They were also mandated to surrender their passports to the special court, notify local police of their new address, fully cooperate with investigating agencies, and appear in court as required. Following these orders, Chaurasia had been residing in Bengaluru.
The latest arrest marks a significant escalation in the ED's probe into the alleged financial scandals that occurred during the previous administration in Chhattisgarh, bringing a former top aide to the ex-chief minister back into legal scrutiny.
