Is Chhattisgarh’s Congress Office Linked to Corruption?
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 6.15 crore in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, involving key Congress figures and raising questions about corruption at high levels. Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this unfolding story.
Key Takeaways
- The ED has provisionally attached assets worth Rs 6.15 crore.
- Properties linked to Congress figures are involved in the investigation.
- The scam potentially caused a loss of over Rs 2,161 crore to Chhattisgarh's finances.
- Kawasi Lakhma has been accused of significant financial misconduct.
- The political implications of this case are profound and ongoing.
Raipur, June 13 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached assets valued at Rs 6.15 crore amid the ongoing investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, representing a crucial milestone in one of the state’s most significant corruption inquiries.
The properties in question consist of the Congress Bhawan in Sukma, a residential property in Raipur owned by former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, and another dwelling in Sukma registered under the name of his son, Harish Lakhma.
According to the ED, these assets were developed using funds derived from criminal activities linked to an alleged liquor syndicate that functioned from 2019 to 2022.
The agency asserts that during this timeframe, Kawasi Lakhma accrued Rs 2 crore per month, totaling Rs 72 crore in illicit profits.
Out of this amount, Rs 68 lakh was purportedly utilized for constructing the Congress office in Sukma, Rs 1.4 crore for his son's residence, and Rs 2.24 crore for his own house in Raipur.
This instance marks the first occasion where the ED has attached a political party’s office under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The Congress party has vehemently opposed this action, labeling it as politically charged and orchestrated by the BJP-led central government.
Party officials have pledged to provide evidence indicating that the Sukma office was established with legitimate financial resources.
The ED's inquiry is rooted in an FIR lodged by the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing, which claimed that a criminal syndicate manipulated the state's excise regulations to misappropriate public funds.
This scam is estimated to have inflicted a loss exceeding Rs 2,161 crore on the state treasury. The ED has already attached assets worth nearly Rs 205 crore in connection with this case.
Kawasi Lakhma, a six-time MLA from Konta and former excise minister under the Bhupesh Baghel government, has been incarcerated since January 2025.
His arrest followed raids conducted in Raipur, Sukma, and Dhamtari in December 2024. The ED contends that Lakhma played a pivotal role in facilitating the scam by altering excise policies, thereby enabling illegal liquor trading. Further investigations are currently underway.
The situation continues to escalate political tensions in Chhattisgarh as the ED broadens its inquiry into the financial and administrative framework surrounding the alleged scam.
Point of View
This investigation by the ED reveals the intricate connections between politics and corruption. The attachment of assets linked to a political party underscores the necessity for accountability in governance. As the case develops, it is imperative to maintain an unbiased viewpoint, focusing on the facts and the ongoing investigation.
NationPress
14/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the ED's investigation into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam?
The investigation was initiated following an FIR filed by the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau, alleging manipulation of excise policies by a criminal syndicate.
What properties have been attached by the ED?
The ED has attached the Congress Bhawan in Sukma, a residential property in Raipur belonging to Kawasi Lakhma, and another residence in Sukma owned by his son.
How much money is involved in this scam?
The scam is estimated to have caused over Rs 2,161 crore in losses to the state exchequer, with Kawasi Lakhma allegedly accumulating Rs 72 crore in illicit gains.
What is the Congress party's reaction to the ED's actions?
The Congress party has condemned the ED's actions as politically motivated and has pledged to provide evidence of legitimate funding for the Sukma office.
What legal provisions is the ED utilizing for this case?
The ED is acting under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002 to attach the assets and conduct the investigation.
