Chhattisgarh liquor scam: Former minister & Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma arrested

The enforcement directorate (ED) conducted raids last month across Raipur, Dhamtari, and Sukma districts, including the residential premises of Lakhma and his son, Harish

Updated on: Jan 15, 2025, 20:03:33 IST

By Ritesh Mishra

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RAIPUR: Former Chhattisgarh excise minister and Congress lawmaker Kawasi Lakhma was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the alleged liquor scam, police said. Lakhma has denied all alligations.

Lakhma (71) was a six-time MLA from the Konta constituency in Sukma (X/@Kawasilakhma)

Lakhma (71), a six-time MLA from the Konta constituency in Sukma, was summoned to the enforcement directorate (ED) office in the Pachpedi Naka area of Raipur, where he was arrested and later produced in court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED conducted raids last month across Raipur, Dhamtari, and Sukma districts, including the residential premises of Lakhma and his son, Harish.

“Neither any document nor a single penny was found during raids at my places. I am being sent to jail in a false case. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, and Chhattisgarh chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai are trying to suppress the voice of a poor tribal and Bastar. Since panchayat elections are approaching in the state, they want to keep me away from elections. Therefore, they have taken action against me,” Lakhma said.

The ED began its investigation in November 2022 and claimed that ₹2,161 crore in corruption money was generated in the alleged liquor scam between 2019 and 2023 through multiple methods.

In a previous statement, the ED alleged that Lakhma was a primary recipient of cash proceeds during his tenure as excise minister and he regularly received “substantial amounts in cash on a monthly basis” from the proceeds of the liquor scam.

Also Read: SC junks ED case in C’garh liquor ‘scam’

The ED further alleged that the scam was orchestrated by a syndicate led by (recently retired) Indian administrative service (IAS) officer Anil Tuteja and Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar’s brother Anwar Dhebar.

Meanwhile, former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel criticised the action, calling it a “political vendetta.”

“The arrest of former minister and senior MLA Kawasi Lakhma ji is an action taken with the intention of political vendetta. On the instructions of its masters sitting in the central government, the ED has been conspiring to defame Congress leaders. The entire Congress party stands with Kawasi Lakhma ji,” Baghel said in a post on X.

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

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