21 hrs ago
ED Raids Former Baghel Aides in Chhattisgarh PSC Probe
The Enforcement Directorate searched seven places in Chhattisgarh.
The searches were connected to an investigation into the state Public Service Commission.
Some searched premises were linked to a former personal assistant of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.
One report also described searches involving a former officer-on-special-duty.
The agency is investigating whether examination rules and selection processes were improperly changed.
It is also examining allegations that question papers were leaked and illegal payments were collected.
The case began after a state economic-offences FIR and a later Central Bureau of Investigation complaint.
Former PSC chairman Toman Singh Sonwani was arrested in connection with the investigation.
The Enforcement Directorate raided seven locations in Bhilai, Durg and Raipur on Tuesday.
The searches included premises linked to former aide K. K. Chandravanshi; one report identified the aide as K.K. Chandrakar.
The probe concerns alleged money laundering connected to irregularities in Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission examinations.
The investigation followed a Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing FIR and a subsequent CBI complaint filed in July 2024.
Former PSC chairman Toman Singh Sonwani was arrested in a case involving alleged corruption, question-paper leaks and selection manipulation.
- Who
- The Enforcement Directorate, former Baghel aides, former PSC chairman Toman Singh Sonwani and the Central Bureau of Investigation are central to the report.
- What
- The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches in a money-laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities in state PSC examinations.
- Where
- Seven locations in Bhilai, Durg and Raipur, Chhattisgarh.
- When
- The searches took place on Tuesday; the related CBI complaint was filed in July 2024, and Sonwani was arrested in July.
- Why
- The searches concern allegations of corruption, question-paper leaks, selection manipulation and illegal gratification in the PSC recruitment process.
Investigators' Allegations
Political Response
Nature of the case
Investigators' Allegations
The Enforcement Directorate alleges that PSC question papers were leaked, the selection process was manipulated and illegal gratification was collected through cash and layered banking transactions.
Political Response
Bhupesh Baghel has previously dismissed ED allegations in other money-laundering cases linked to liquor and coal levies as a political witch-hunt; the reports do not give a separate response from him on this PSC raid.
Recruitment-rule changes
Investigators' Allegations
The ED said PSC recruitment rules were amended in 2021 to remove the word “nephew” from the definition of family, allegedly facilitating the selection of Sonwani’s relatives.
Political Response
The articles do not provide a response from Sonwani, Baghel or other accused individuals regarding this specific allegation.
Key facts
- Searches conducted
- Seven locations
- Locations
- Bhilai, Durg and Raipur, Chhattisgarh
- Investigating agency
- Enforcement Directorate
- Legal framework
- Prevention of Money Laundering Act
- People linked to searched premises
- K. K. Chandravanshi and Chetan Borgharia, according to one report; another identified K.K. Chandrakar
- Former PSC chairman
- Toman Singh Sonwani, arrested in July
- Origin of investigation
- A Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing FIR and a subsequent CBI complaint filed in July 2024
Quotes
Enforcement Directorate
India’s financial investigation agency conducting the money-laundering probe
“The recruitment rules of CGPSC were amended in 2021 to remove the word ‘nephew’ from the definition of ‘family’, thereby facilitating the selection of relatives of Sonwani”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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