Raipur, October 14. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Chhattisgarh have filed a supplementary chargesheet in the ₹182-crore CSMCL manpower payment scam, naming former Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) Managing Director Arunpati Tripathi and manpower agency operator B.R. Lohia.
₹182.98 Crore in Alleged Excess Payments
According to the investigation, manpower agencies allegedly received approximately ₹182.98 crore in excess payments in the name of remuneration for liquor shop employees. The payments reportedly involved overtime, bonuses and four additional working days.
Investigators allege that agencies submitted inflated bills or claimed reimbursement without actually paying the corresponding amounts to employees.
₹152.40 Crore in Excess Payments During Tripathi’s Tenure
According to the investigating agencies, approximately ₹152.40 crore in excess payments were made to agencies during Tripathi’s tenure from May 2019 to April 2023.
Of this amount, between ₹28 crore and ₹32 crore was allegedly collected as cash kickbacks and routed to Anwar Dhebar, according to the investigation.
Agency Operator Accused of Arranging Inflated Bills
B.R. Lohia, associated with Eagle Hunter Solution Limited and Alert Commandos Private Limited, has been accused of directing company accountants to prepare additional bills for overtime that employees had allegedly not worked.
Investigators also allege that he played a role in arranging cash commissions for officials.
ED Recovers ₹28.80 Lakh, Seizes Assets Worth ₹3 Crore
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly recovered ₹28.80 lakh during a raid on November 29, 2023. The money was allegedly intended as a kickback in connection with pending bills.
The agency has also seized assets worth ₹3 crore allegedly linked to Tripathi’s illegal gains invested in immovable property.
Employees Allegedly Received Only Regular Salaries
According to the investigation, tender conditions introduced in 2019 required manpower agencies to pay employees directly for overtime, bonuses and additional working days before claiming reimbursement from CSMCL.
However, agencies allegedly submitted inflated bills or claimed reimbursement without disbursing the corresponding payments to workers. Employees reportedly told investigators that they had received only their regular monthly salaries.
The agencies named in connection with the alleged excess payments include Sumeet Facilities Limited, Primeone Workforce Private Limited, A-to-Z Infra Services Limited, Alert Commandos Private Limited and Eagle Hunter Solution Limited.
Eagle Hunter and Alert Commandos allegedly received a combined ₹48.08 crore in excess payments.
Monthly Kickbacks of ₹70–80 Lakh Allegedly Collected
Investigators allege that intermediaries, including Siddharth Singhian, helped facilitate the collection and distribution of cash kickbacks. The alleged monthly collections ranged between ₹70 lakh and ₹80 lakh.
The investigation has also indicated that approximately ₹60 crore to ₹70 crore was allegedly transferred through hawala networks to Mumbai and Hyderabad, reportedly on instructions linked to Tripathi.
Tripathi in Judicial Custody, Look-Out Circular Issued Against Lohia
Arunpati Tripathi is currently in judicial custody. B.R. Lohia is reportedly residing abroad, and a look-out circular has been issued against him. Investigating agencies are considering further action through Interpol.
Both accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the guilt of the accused will be determined by the court.
