ED conducts searches at residence of Chief Minister’s political advisor and OSDs s in Chhattisgarh

RaipurThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated a search operation at the homes of Vinod Verma, the Chief Minister’s political advisor, as well as the residences of Ashish Verma, Manish Banchhor, and Vijay Bhatia. CRPF personnel were present at Vinod Verma’s residence, where the search was taking place, sources said.The searches were conducted at Vinod Verma’s residence in Devendra Nagar, Raipur. CRPF personnel have been stationed outside the house. Additionally, teams have reached the homes of Chief Minister’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Ashish Verma and Manish Banchhor.Since morning, the ED team has been examining documents at the residences of Banchhor, Ashish Verma in Bhilai and businessperson Vijay Bhatia in Nehru Nagar East.Following the ED raids, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel took to twitter, targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He expressed gratitude, stating that on his birthday, PM Modi and Amit Shah’s gift was the ED’s presence at the residences of his political advisors and OSDs.Vinod Verma is closely associated with the Chief Minister and serves as a political advisor. He has a background in journalism from Raipur to Delhi and even worked with BBC London. Additionally, he is an expert in training within the Congress party.Manish Banchhor is an employee of the Bhilai Steel Plant and is also an OSD to the Chief Minister. He resides behind the old Bhilai police station in Bhilai three. Similarly, Ashish Verma’s residence is near the Chief Minister’s residence in Padum Nagar. He also holds the position of OSD to the CM. Vijay Bhatia, a furniture businessman, resides in Nehru Nagar East, Bhilai. After the Congress government came into power, security guards were assigned to his bungalow. He is closely associated with the ruling party.The ED conducted raids at the residences of individuals associated with the betting business in Raipur, Raigarh, and Durg-Bhilai two days ago. The searches were carried out at eight locations, including three in Raipur – Wallfort City, Swarn Bhumi, and Ashoka Ratan. Raids were also conducted at the homes of jewelers and petrol pump operators in Ashoka Ratan.