RAIPUR: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Wednesday detained senior Congress leader and party treasurer Ramgopal Agarwal for questioning in connection with the alleged coal levy scam and two other corruption cases. The agency said the action followed his prolonged absence from the investigation and the issuance of a permanent arrest warrant by a Special Court under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
According to EOW officials, investigators are examining Ramgopal Agarwal’s alleged role in the coal levy case, his financial transactions, political connections, and communication with other accused persons. The agency stated that it is questioning him based on documentary evidence, digital records, and a diary allegedly recovered from Suryakant Tiwari, who is considered one of the key accused in the case.
Investigators claim the seized diary contains entries indicating that crores of rupees were routed to “Congress Bhavan.” The agency alleges that its investigation suggests Ramgopal Agarwal received these funds at the party headquarters. Officials are questioning him about the diary entries, the origin of the money, the intermediaries involved, and the alleged beneficiaries of the transactions.
The EOW is also interrogating Ramgopal Agarwal in connection with the alleged liquor scam. Investigators claim to have gathered evidence suggesting that Anwar Dhebar and his associates delivered crores of rupees to him at Congress Bhavan. Officials are now examining the alleged delivery mechanism, the handling of the funds, and how the money was reportedly utilized.
Apart from the liquor case, EOW is probing Ramgopal Agarwal’s alleged involvement in the rice procurement scam. According to investigators, accused Roshan Chandrakar also delivered large sums of money to him at the Congress office. The agency is questioning him regarding the collection, transportation, and receipt of these funds.
The detention comes shortly after EOW questioned Vaibhav Agarwal, the son of Ramgopal Agarwal, over the past two days as part of the ongoing investigation.
Officials said the investigation is continuing, and further legal action will be taken depending on the evidence collected during the course of the probe. The allegations remain under investigation, and the agency is continuing to examine documentary and financial evidence related to the case.
