Chhattisgarh Coal Levy Fraud: ED Seizes Rs 49.73 Crore in Assets
Click to start listening
Synopsis
The ED has seized assets worth Rs 49.73 crore linked to Chhattisgarh's illegal coal levy scam, involving over 100 properties. This is part of a larger investigation revealing collusion in extorting funds from coal transporters, with total proceeds of crime estimated at Rs 540 crore.
Key Takeaways
- ED's latest seizure: Rs 49.73 crore.
- Over 100 properties linked to accused.
- Extortion scheme involved coal transporters.
- Total crime proceeds reach Rs 540 crore.
- 11 individuals arrested in ongoing investigation.
New Delhi, Feb 3 (NationPress) In a recent initiative concerning Chhattisgarh's illegal coal levy fraud, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) from the Raipur Zonal Office has provisionally attached more than 100 movable and immovable properties belonging to the accused, amounting to Rs 49.73 crore, as reported by an official on Monday.
The seized assets were associated with Suryakant Tiwari and others implicated in the extortion from coal transporters operating in the mineral-abundant state, according to the official.
The confiscated assets, taken under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 on January 30, included bank funds, vehicles, cash, jewelry, and land.
Following this latest action by the ED, properties worth Rs 270 crore belonging to the accused have been attached thus far in this case.
An official statement indicated that the ED’s investigation unveiled a scheme where a consortium of private individuals, in collaboration with senior state politicians and bureaucrats, were allegedly extorting funds from coal transporters.
The accused were reportedly charging Rs 25 per tonne of coal transported between July 2020 and June 2022, with the total proceeds of crime (POC) amounting to Rs 540 crore.
The illicit funds were reportedly utilized to bribe government officials and politicians, with part of the POC also allocated for election expenses. The remaining funds were spent on acquiring various movable and immovable properties, as per an ED statement.
In prior actions, the ED had attached movable and immovable properties valued at Rs 55.37 crore.
These properties were owned by individuals including Ranu Sahu, IAS, Sameer Bishnoi, IAS, Saumya Chaurasia, the former OSD to the then Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Jai Prakash Maurya, IAS, and others.
As part of the ongoing inquiry, the ED has arrested 11 individuals and submitted three prosecution complaints against 26 accused persons before the Special Court (PMLA), which has acknowledged the complaints lodged.
