Raipur
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties belonging to former Chhattisgarh Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma and his son, along with the Congress Party office building in Sukma. Official sources confirmed the action, and a formal statement from the ED regarding the attachments is expected soon.
The attached properties include Lakhma’s residence in Sukma and his bungalow in Dharampura, Raipur.
The ED’s action follows raids conducted on 28 December 2024 at the residences of Kawasi Lakhma and his son Harish Kawasi. The ED team had searched Lakhma’s bungalow in Dharampura, Raipur, and also inspected his car parked outside. Raids were also carried out at the house of Sushil Ojha, a close associate of Lakhma, in Chaube Colony, and at the residences of Harish Lakhma and Sukma Municipal President Raju Sahu in Sukma district.
During the raids, Lakhma was reportedly questioned for about eight hours at the ED office in Raipur.
Following the ED raids in connection with the alleged liquor scam, Kawasi Lakhma had denied any wrongdoing. He clarified that he did not come from a political family and owned only two acres of land purchased in Jagdalpur in 2009. Lakhma stated that he was never a ward member or sarpanch, and had earlier engaged in business involving tora, mahua, and tamarind before joining the Congress party.
He highlighted his consistent electoral victories from Sukma, where the BJP has not won for 15 years, and expressed faith in the judiciary.
Earlier reports indicated the ED’s claim of Rs 50 lakh being received every month in the alleged liquor scam. The Congress party had termed the ED action as politically motivated ahead of elections.
