Raipur
The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested businessman Satpal Chhabra on Thursday in connection with the multi-crore District Mineral Foundation (DMF) fund scam. The arrest followed an investigation into irregularities and corruption within the trust, specifically involving agricultural grants.
According to the bureau, evidence and documents revealed that Chhabra was part of a syndicate comprising government officials, employees, and traders. This group allegedly bypassed transparent procedures and violated rules in the implementation of agricultural schemes, causing significant financial loss to the state exchequer.
The investigation suggests that Chhabra received several crores in illegal commissions, which were collected in cash or deposited into the bank accounts of his relatives. Digital evidence and a detailed review of financial transactions confirmed his involvement in the criminal conspiracy.
Chhabra was produced before a local court on 19 February 2026. The court granted police remand until 25 February 2026 for further questioning.
The ACB had previously registered a case under sections 420 (cheating), 120B (criminal conspiracy), 467, 468, and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). Authorities stated that a thorough probe is underway to identify other individuals and linked aspects of the scam.
