ACB-EOW Raids in Bharatmala Project Irregularities Case: Action Underway Against 17-20 Officials
Raipur, Chhattisgarh: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) have initiated raids in connection with irregularities in the Bharatmala project, focusing on approximately 17 to 20 officials, including Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), Tehsildars, Patwaris, and Revenue Inspectors. Document verification is taking place at the residences of former SDM Nirbhay Sahu and Tehsildar Shashikant Kurre in Raipur.
In Sejbahar Colony, Raipur, raids have been ongoing since early morning at the residence of a revenue officer. Authorities have reportedly discovered jewellery, cash, and land documents during the raid. Investigations are ongoing, and further details will be disclosed in due course.
In Bilaspur, a team of more than six officers is investigating the residence of Additional Tehsildar Lakheswar Ram, where family members resisted the raid. Raids have also been carried out in Naya Raipur, Abhanpur, Durg-Bhilai, and other districts across the state.
Complaint Filed with PMO by Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant
Earlier, Leader of Opposition Dr. Charan Das Mahant raised a complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) regarding a ₹43 crore compensation scam within the Bharatmala project. The PMO acknowledged the complaint, and Dr. Mahant confirmed receiving a response, expressing hopes that the matter would soon be handed over for a CBI probe.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The scam involves an alleged ₹43 crore land acquisition fraud under the Bharatmala project. Land was allegedly subdivided into multiple parcels, with false documents created to justify a ₹78 crore payment to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). SDMs, Patwaris, and land mafias are suspected of collaborating to fabricate documents with backdated entries, enabling the execution of the fraud.
As a result of the investigation, Korba Deputy Collector Shashikant Kurre and Jagdalpur Municipal Commissioner Nirbhay Sahu were suspended, months after the investigation reports were completed.
Land Division and Compensation Fraud
The investigation revealed that in Nayakbandha and Urla villages of Abhanpur, land mafias worked with revenue officers to divide the land into small pieces and added 80 new names to the compensation records, inflating the total value of the land. The original compensation amount of ₹29.5 crore was artificially inflated to ₹78 crore. Out of the ₹324 crore allocated for 9.38 kilometers in the Abhanpur belt, ₹246 crore has already been disbursed, while ₹78 crore remains withheld.
Tampering with Documents Confirmed
The investigation report confirmed that officers in Abhanpur tampered with documents using backdated entries. This led to an inflated compensation payment of ₹70 crore for just four acres of land, originally owned by a single family, which was divided among 14 family members just days before the land survey.
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) also raised objections to the financial irregularities in the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Economic Corridor, prompting a halt in compensation disbursement.
Further updates on the ongoing investigation will be provided by the authorities in the coming days.
