Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: ACB-EOW Raids 13 Locations Linked to Former Minister Kawasi Lakhma, Seizes ₹19 Lakh Cash
Raipur, 18 May 2025
In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) conducted simultaneous raids at 13 locations linked to former minister Kawasi Lakhma and his close associates. The raids, carried out early Saturday morning, spanned across Raipur, Dantewada, Sukma, Jagdalpur, and Ambikapur.
Officials recovered crucial documents, electronic devices, mobile phones, details of multiple bank accounts, land investment records, and ₹19 lakh in cash during the coordinated operation. The action marks a critical step in uncovering the financial trail of the multi-crore scam.
Raids Across Chhattisgarh
In Raipur, raids were conducted at the residences of Congress leader G. Nagesh and contractor Kamlesh Nahta. The EOW team also searched the Devendra Nagar residence of Srinivas Rao, a Congress councillor candidate and brother of G. Nagesh, known to be a close associate of Lakhma.
Srinivas Rao confirmed the early morning search, stating, “The officials arrived at 5:45 AM with a search warrant. We fully cooperated and provided all required documents.” He emphasized that while they share personal and political ties with Lakhma, there is no financial association. Rao, who operates in real estate, submitted property documents from 2019 to 2023, including papers of a recently purchased house.
During the operation, all family members were asked to keep aside their mobile phones. Officials also inquired about any medical conditions before commencing the search. Rao refuted any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “baseless” and reiterated, “Truth has nothing to hide.”
Searches in Dantewada, Jagdalpur, Sukma, and Ambikapur
In Dantewada, the residence of Congress leader Rajkumar Tamo was searched. In Jagdalpur, computer businessman Prem Miglani was raided. In Sukma, former Yoga Commission member Rajesh Nara, hardware trader Aneesh Bothra, and petrol pump operator Jaideep Bhadoria were among those searched. Raids also targeted Lakhma’s drivers, Sheikh Basheer and Basheer Ahmed.
Action Approved Against 30 Excise Officials
The EOW has reportedly secured approval to initiate action against 30 officials of the Excise Department allegedly involved in the scam. These include then Assistant District Excise Officer Janardan Kaurav, Deputy Commissioners Animesh Netam and Vijay Sen Sharma, among other senior officials. Chargesheets are expected to be filed in the coming weeks.
Background: The ₹2,000 Crore Liquor Scam
The liquor scam, estimated to be worth over ₹2,000 crore, is being jointly probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and ACB. The FIR, initially filed by the ED, alleges massive corruption during the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government. Key accused include IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Excise Department MD A.P. Tripathi, and businessman Anwar Dhebar, who allegedly ran a syndicate that used duplicate holograms to distribute illegal liquor through state-run shops between 2019 and 2022.
The fraudulent operation is believed to have caused extensive revenue loss to the state exchequer.
Individuals Raided in Connection with Lakhma:
- Raipur: G. Nagesh (Congress leader), Kamlesh Nahta (contractor)
- Jagdalpur: Prem Miglani (computer businessman)
- Dantewada: Rajkumar Tamo (Congress leader)
- Sukma: Rajesh Nara (ex-Yoga Commission member), Aneesh Bothra (hardware trader), Jaideep Bhadoria (petrol pump operator), Sheikh Basheer and Basheer Ahmed (Lakhma’s drivers)
The ACB-EOW raids are expected to intensify in the coming days as investigators trace the full scale of the financial network linked to the liquor scam.
