Chhattisgarh coal levy case: ED raids IAS officer, businessmen and coal traders

The ED’s chargesheet mentioned that an illegal levy of ₹25 per tonne was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen & politicians

Published on: Jan 13, 2023, 18:43:40 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

The enforcement directorate (ED) on Friday conducted raids at multiple places in Chhattisgarh, including that of an IAS officer, in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal levy scam in the state.

The name of the IAS officer surfaced in the ED’s chargesheet submitted on December 9,2022. (Representative image)

The searches were undertaken in state capital Raipur, Korba, Durg and Ranchi in Jharkhand and Bengaluru, officials claimed.

Premises linked to the IAS officer and his wife were also searched in Bhilai and Raipur.

The bureaucrat is a 2004 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who had earlier served as the secretary of mineral resources department.

The officer is the fourth bureaucrat of Chhattisgarh who has been raided by ED in the last four months in the alleged coal levy scam.

Also Read: Chhattisgarh CM’s deputy secy sent to judicial custody in money laundering case

On Friday, the ED raided a few other businessmen and coal traders in Raipur and Korba.

The name of the IAS officer surfaced in the ED’s chargesheet submitted on December 9,2022.

Meanwhile, speaking to reporters on Friday about the ongoing raids in Chhattisgarh, chief minister Bhupesh Baghel said that the agency is destabilising the government.

“The ED will remain here till the upcoming elections because the BJP has nothing against our government and they are defaming our government through these raids,” said Baghel .

On the other hand, BJP spokesperson and senior leader Ajay Chandrakar said, “If nothing has happened, why is Baghel repeatedly accusing the ED? He should do his work as the agency is doing its job only.”

The ED’s chargesheet mentioned that an illegal levy of ₹25 per tonne was being extorted for every tonne of coal transported in the state by a cartel involving senior bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More