Raipur– The Enforcement Directorate (ED) recently executed searches at the Raipur homes of Indian Administrative Service (IAS) personnel and a senior Chhattisgarh Congress politician. This was carried out as part of an inquiry into money laundering. The searches targeted IAS officer Ranu Sahu, other bureaucrats, and Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) treasurer RamGopal Agarwal.
Central paramilitary personnel were deployed outside the residences of the officials in Raipur and Korba, including Korba Municipal Commissioner Prabhakar Pandey. The authorities searched after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
While the specific case prompting the raids is not mentioned, sources suggest it could be related to the alleged rice scam. The ED is already investigating other issues in the state, including the alleged coal levy and liquor scam, leading to the arrest of politicians, individuals associated with them, and prominent bureaucrats, including IAS officers.
Notably, on July 18, the Supreme Court had advised the ED to exercise restraint in its money laundering probe linked to an alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh.
The ED’s actions indicate its commitment to investigating financial irregularities and alleged scams in the state, but the specific details and outcomes of the recent searches remain to be disclosed.