Archive · 29 Dec 2025
ED raids Bharatmala project land acquisition case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids in Raipur and Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, as part of an investigation into the Bharatmala project.
The project involves building roads and highways, and the ED is looking into how compensation money for land acquisition was handled.
They found that some people, including government officials and land brokers, might have taken money meant for farmers.
Earlier, the state's Anti Corruption Bureau had also raided places and arrested several people for similar reasons.
The opposition political party in the state wants a central agency to investigate further.
ED conducted raids at nine premises in Raipur and Mahasamund, Chhattisgarh, in connection with the Bharatmala project scam.
The investigation focuses on alleged irregularities in the payment of compensation for land acquisition under the Bharatmala project.
Land broker Harmit Singh Khanuja, his associates, government officials, and landowners are involved in the searches.
Chhattisgarh's ACB/EOW earlier arrested Uma Tiwari, Kedar Tiwari, and Khanuja for allegedly embezzling compensation funds.
A chargesheet was filed against 10 people, including two government officials and eight brokers, for forgery and embezzlement of Rs 32 crore.
- Who
- Enforcement Directorate (ED), Chhattisgarh's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB)/Economic Offences Wing (EOW), land brokers, government officials, landowners
- What
- Raids and seizures in connection with alleged irregularities in the payment of compensation for land acquisition under the Bharatmala project
- When
- April 25, 2024 (ACB/EOW raids), October 2024 (chargesheet filed), November 2024 (ED raids)
- Where
- Raipur and Mahasamund district, Chhattisgarh
- Why
- Alleged embezzlement of compensation funds meant for farmers
- Project
- Bharatmala
- Location
- Raipur, Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)
- Agency Involved
- Enforcement Directorate (ED)
- Alleged Irregularities
- Payment of compensation for land acquisition
- Arrested Individuals
- Uma Tiwari, Kedar Tiwari, Harmit Singh Khanuja
- Amount Embezzled
- Rs 32 crore
- Period of Investigation
- 2020-2024
- Opposition Demand
- CBI inquiry
