The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in a joint action arrested former Managing Director Arunpati Tripathi, in an alleged overtime payment scam involving the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL). The Raipur court has granted the agencies police custody of the then MD until July 20th.
According to the investigating agency, the Raipur Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had seized ₹28.80 lakh in cash from three individuals in 2023. An investigation was launched following an FIR registered by EOW.
As per the probe, in FY 2019-20 and FY 2023-24, more than ₹172 crore was allegedly paid illegally to manpower agencies as overtime, additional working days, bonus, and service charges. Investigators allege that a substantial portion of this amount was siphoned off as cash commissions through a syndicate.
Sources reveal the EOW has already filed a chargesheet against 12 accused in the case. Investigators believe that Tripathi’s interrogation could lead to crucial evidence and reveal the involvement of other individuals linked to the alleged scam.
According to officials, employees working at state-run liquor shops were entitled to overtime payments. However, the system allegedly manipulated through fake bills, inflated payments, and an illegal commission network, resulting in funds being diverted to officials, a syndicate, and associated companies
The manpower agencies involved in the case are Sumit Facilities, Prime One Workforce, A-To-Z Infraservices, Alert Commandos, and Eagle Hunter Solutions. Probe reveals, between 2019-20 and 2023-24, these agencies received large additional payments on behalf of employees, including Rs 101.20 crore towards overtime payments Rs12.21 crore as bonus payments Rs54.46 crore for four additional working days Rs15.11 crore as service charges.