Raipur: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has filed a 1,500-page chargesheet before a special court against former Chief Engineer of the Urban Administration and Development Department, Bhagirathi Verma, in an alleged ₹1.76-crore graft case.
The EOW registered the case under Sections 7 and 11 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended in 2018, on June 15, 2026, following a complaint by Raghvendra Tiwari. Verma was arrested on June 17 and is currently lodged in judicial custody at Central Jail, Raipur.
According to the EOW, Verma allegedly misused his official position between 2019 and 2023 by demanding a 25% commission from the complainant in return for awarding tender works and clearing bills related to various urban local bodies.
The agency conducted searches at eight locations—six in Raipur and Bilaspur districts and two in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh—recovering documents, property records and digital evidence.
The investigation allegedly revealed that Verma received ₹1.68 crore in cash and valuables worth ₹7.77 lakh between 2019 and 2021-22. Recoveries included two diamond rings and ₹32.65 lakh in cash in 2019, besides tiles and granite worth ₹3.39 lakh allegedly supplied for his house.
In 2020, Verma allegedly received ₹42.65 lakh as commission. Bank and digital records also showed transfers totalling ₹2.10 lakh to third-party accounts.
The EOW said ₹1.46 crore was sanctioned during 2021-22 for high-mast LED installations in Jaijaipur, Pusaur, Bhopalpatnam, Narharpur and Konta.
Verma allegedly demanded air-conditioners and other appliances for clearing LED works. The complainant allegedly supplied five Lloyd ACs worth ₹1.72 lakh, two smart fans worth ₹15,850 and LED lights worth ₹1.40 lakh to Verma’s residence in Agroha Colony, Raipur.
The EOW further alleged that Verma received ₹93.22 lakh in cash and two gold rings worth ₹69,400 during the same period.
Further investigation is underway under Section 193(9) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, to trace the alleged illegal funds and identify other officials who may have been involved in approval of the works.
