EOW files 8,000-page chargesheet against Saumya Chaurasia in ₹50-cr disproportionate assets case
Raipur – The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Tuesday filed an approximately 8,000-page chargesheet against State Administrative Service (SAS) officer Saumya Chaurasia in a special court (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Raipur.
The case was registered against Chaurasia, a former Deputy Secretary, under Section 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), following an investigation into allegations of accumulating disproportionate assets through corrupt means.
The EOW’s investigation found that Chaurasia, who was allegedly involved in cases related to coal, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, and other matters, made benami investments in approximately 45 immovable properties in the names of her family members and other individuals.
According to the chargesheet, it has been established that Chaurasia amassed illegal earnings amounting to ₹49.69 crore (₹49,69,48,298) during her tenure in service.
The investigation revealed that the SAS officer, from the 2008 batch, had a legitimate income of approximately ₹2.51 crore (₹2,51,89,175) over her 17 years of service. Against this, she invested approximately ₹50 crore in various assets through illegal means. The total illegal assets acquired by Chaurasia during her service tenure represent an excess of 1872.86% over her known sources of income.
The EOW stated that this is the largest case of disproportionate assets in the history of the bureau. The probe also established that the maximum investment of illegal money in assets by Chaurasia occurred between 2019 and 2022.
Ms. Chaurasia, who was an Accounts Officer in 2005, was first posted as Deputy Collector in the Collectorate, Bilaspur, after her induction into the State Administrative Service. She was later posted as Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office in 2019.
