Raipur
A special PMLA court on Friday sent Saumya Chaurasia, former deputy secretary to ex-Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, to 14-day custody of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. The central agency produced Chaurasia in court following the expiry of her initial two-day remand.
The ED arrested Chaurasia two days ago based on statements from Pappu Bansal alias Lakshmi Narayan Agrawal, K.K. Srivastava, and Deepen Chawda. Investigators claim to have recovered incriminating digital evidence, including chat records involving retired IAS officer Anil Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar, and Chaitanya Baghel.
Syndicate earned ₹2,500 crore
The investigation, initiated following an FIR by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW), suggests the liquor syndicate caused massive losses to the state exchequer. The agency estimates the total proceeds of crime (POC) exceed ₹2,500 crore.
According to the ED, Chaurasia personally received approximately ₹115.5 crore from the scam. Digital records suggest she acted as a central coordinator for the syndicate, facilitating money laundering and ensuring the appointment of key associates, such as Arun Pati Tripathi and Niranjan Das, to influential positions within the Excise Department.
Allegations of ‘Big Boss’ WhatsApp group
The agency’s charge sheet reveals that the syndicate operated a WhatsApp group named ‘Big Boss’ to coordinate illegal activities. Members including Chaurasia, Anil Tuteja, and Anwar Dhebar allegedly used the group to share instructions on money laundering and the movement of illicit funds.
In one recovered chat, Chaurasia reportedly instructed Anil Tuteja to ensure that Anwar Dhebar’s associates did not disclose accounts to Pappu Bansal, who had been enquiring about collection figures.
Assets worth ₹49 crore attached
In a parallel investigation into a coal levy scam and disproportionate assets, the ACB–EOW recently filed an 8,000-page charge sheet against Chaurasia. The report states that while her total salary over 17 years of service amounted to ₹2.51 crore, she acquired 45 benami properties valued at ₹49.69 crore.
This reflects assets 1,872% higher than her known sources of income. Most of these investments were made between 2019 and 2022.
Modus operandi of the liquor scam
The ED has categorised the ₹3,200-crore scam into three distinct methods:
1. Commission from Distillers: Distillers were allegedly forced to pay a commission of ₹75 to ₹100 per case. To offset this, the syndicate allowed distillers to inflate invoices and increased retail liquor prices.
2. Sale of Unaccounted Liquor: The syndicate reportedly manufactured off-the-books liquor using duplicate holograms. This liquor was sold through state-run shops without paying excise duty. The entire sale proceeds were pocketed by the syndicate.
3. Zonal Favouritism: The state was divided into eight supply zones. Distillers were allegedly forced to pay bribes to secure or retain their preferred supply areas.
Defence counsel Harshvardhan Pargania alleged that the arrest was illegal and claimed the agency changed the narrative and figures during the proceedings. Meanwhile, former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, also an accused in the case, complained of ill health during his court appearance, stating he required medical treatment for heart-related ailments.
The ED investigation continues as the agency seeks to uncover more links in the wider syndicate.
