1 week ago
ED Searches Congress Leader’s Home in Chhattisgarh Liquor Case
Investigators from the Enforcement Directorate searched the home of Congress leader Ram Gopal Agrawal in Chhattisgarh.
Agrawal had already been arrested in a case about an alleged liquor scam.
The agency says the alleged scam happened from 2019 to 2022.
It says a group of officials and political figures controlled parts of the state’s liquor department.
The agency estimates that the state may have lost Rs 2,883 crore.
Congress leaders say agencies are being used to frighten opposition politicians.
They protested outside Agrawal’s home.
Investigators also searched some other places in Raipur, but they did not say which case those searches involved.
The Enforcement Directorate searched Congress leader Ram Gopal Agrawal’s residence in Dhamtari on August 20.
Agrawal was arrested by the ED on August 11 in a money-laundering investigation linked to an alleged liquor scam.
The ED alleges a syndicate caused a Rs 2,883 crore loss during Chhattisgarh’s previous Congress government.
Congress leaders, including Dhamtari MLA Omkar Sahu, protested outside Agrawal’s residence against the search.
The ED has filed six chargesheets naming 81 accused, while the EOW estimates alleged liquor-scam proceeds may exceed Rs 3,500 crore.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate searched the residence of Congress leader Ram Gopal Agrawal; Congress leaders and workers protested.
- What
- The ED conducted a search linked to an alleged liquor scam and related money-laundering investigation.
- Where
- Agrawal’s residence in the Audyogik Ward area of Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh; other searches were reported in Raipur.
- When
- The search took place on August 20; the ED arrested Agrawal on August 11.
- Why
- The ED is investigating an alleged liquor scam, while Congress alleges that central agencies are targeting and intimidating opposition leaders.
Congress’ Position
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
Purpose of the search
Congress’ Position
Congress leaders said the search was part of a pattern of targeting and intimidating opposition leaders, particularly because Agrawal was already in ED custody.
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The ED conducted the search as part of its money-laundering investigation linked to the alleged liquor scam.
What happened in the liquor sector
Congress’ Position
Congress representatives disputed the political use of the investigation but the report does not provide a detailed alternative account of the alleged scam.
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The ED alleges that a criminal syndicate involving senior bureaucrats and political figures hijacked the state excise department between 2019 and 2022.
Financial impact
Congress’ Position
Congress leaders criticized the investigation and agency actions; no separate financial estimate from Congress is provided in the report.
Enforcement Directorate’s Allegations
The ED alleges a Rs 2,883 crore loss to the state exchequer, while the EOW says proceeds of crime could exceed Rs 3,500 crore.
Key facts
- Person searched
- Ram Gopal Agrawal, a Congress leader and former state-party treasurer
- Search date
- August 20
- ED arrest
- August 11, in connection with the alleged liquor scam
- Alleged scam period
- 2019 to 2022
- ED’s alleged loss estimate
- Rs 2,883 crore to the state exchequer
- ED case filings
- Six chargesheets naming 81 accused
- EOW estimate
- Alleged liquor-scam proceeds could exceed Rs 3,500 crore
Quotes
Deepak Baij
President of Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee
“"ED and CBI action in Chhattisgarh is no longer a new thing. ED, CBI, Income Tax and other agencies have made it a routine to target and intimidate opposition leaders."”
theprint.in
Sources
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