Archive · 2 Sep 2026
ED Arrests Key Liaisoner in Chhattisgarh DMF Scam
The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Satpal Singh Chabda in a case involving mining-community funds in Chhattisgarh.
These funds are meant to help people affected by mining.
Investigators allege that some money was diverted through supply contracts.
They say prices were increased so that people in the alleged network could collect commissions.
The ED describes Chabda as a coordinator who helped select vendors and arrange payments.
The agency says he received about Rs 31 crore in alleged illegal commissions.
A court in Raipur has allowed the ED to question him for five days.
The investigation is still continuing, and the allegations have not been established by a court.
The Enforcement Directorate arrested Satpal Singh Chabda under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
A Raipur PMLA court granted the ED five days of custody after Chabda’s arrest.
The investigation concerns alleged misappropriation of District Mineral Foundation funds between 2019-20 and 2023-24.
The ED alleges that supply-oriented projects enabled inflated prices, commissions, and payments to a syndicate.
The agency says Chabda received approximately Rs 31 crore in illegal commissions and that the investigation continues.
- Who
- The Directorate of Enforcement arrested Satpal Singh Chabda, whom it describes as a liaisoner and financial coordinator.
- What
- Chabda was arrested in the alleged misappropriation of Chhattisgarh District Mineral Foundation funds.
- When
- He was arrested on Tuesday; the ED also said searches were conducted in September 2025.
- Where
- The case is being investigated by the ED’s Raipur Zonal Office and is before the Special Court, PMLA, in Raipur.
- Why
- The ED alleges that DMF funds were diverted through supply-oriented works, inflated pricing, and commissions distributed within a public-servant, liaisoner, and vendor syndicate.
- Arrested person
- Satpal Singh Chabda
- Legal provision
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
- Court order
- Special Court, PMLA, Raipur granted five days of ED custody
- DMF funds received
- Approximately Rs 9,188.20 crore between FY 2019-20 and 2023-24
- Alleged commissions
- Approximately Rs 31 crore allegedly received by Chabda
- Commission range
- 25% to 50% of the base value of purchase orders
- Investigation status
- Further investigation is underway