Chhattisgarh: As half of the continued investigation into the coal levy cash laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out searches at varied premises linked to Congress leaders. On Monday, the ED raided a number of places in Chhattisgarh ahead of the eighty fifth plenary session of the grand previous get together.
Over a dozen places are being searched
The raids come ahead of the three-day plenary session of the Congress from February 24-26 within the state capital Raipur. The state is dominated by the get together underneath Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. Over a dozen places are being searched, together with the premises linked to Congress leaders and a few MLAs, official sources mentioned.
Coal levy rip-off
They mentioned the ED is investigating those that have been the beneficiaries of the proceeds of crime of the alleged coal levy rip-off perpetrated in the course of the tenure of the present authorities. The ED investigation pertains to “a massive scam in which illegal levy of Rs 25 was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in Chhattisgarh by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen”, the company has alleged.
Nine individuals, together with state administrative service officer Chaurasia, Suryakant Tiwari, his uncle Laxmikant Tiwari, Chhattisgarh cadre IAS officer Sameer Vishnoi and one other coal businessman Sunil Agrawal have been arrested by it until now within the case.
Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s response
Slamming the transfer of the ED, Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel taking to Twitter mentioned that BJP is annoyed with Bharat Jodo Yatra’s success and fact of Adani being uncovered.
‘BJP is annoyed with Bharat Jodo Yatra’s success & fact of Adani being uncovered. This raid is an try and divert consideration. After 4 days there’s Congress conference in Raipur. Our spirits cannot be damaged by stopping our folks engaged in preparations,” tweets Chhattisgarh CM.
