ED arrests ex-Chhattisgarh Congress Treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal in ₹3,000 crore liquor scam
Synopsis
The ED has arrested the former Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee Treasurer from inside Raipur Central Jail — where he was already an undertrial — in a ₹3,000 crore liquor scam that allegedly funnelled cash proceeds directly to the party's state office. The arrest marks a significant escalation in a probe that has already ensnared senior bureaucrats and political operatives.
Key Takeaways
Ramgopal Agrawal , ex-Treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee , was arrested by the ED on 11 August under the PMLA, 2002 .
The Special PMLA Court in Raipur remanded him to ED custody for seven days , until 18 August .
The alleged syndicate — involving Anil Tuteja , Anwar Dhebar , and Arun Pati Tripathi — reportedly generated proceeds of crime worth approximately ₹3,000 crore .
Cash was allegedly delivered to Agrawal at Rajiv Bhawan, Raipur , the then CPCC office, via syndicate handlers.
Agrawal had failed to appear in response to four PMLA summons and gave evasive replies when he eventually recorded a statement.
The scam relates to corruption in Chhattisgarh's excise administration between 2019 and 2023 .
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Ramgopal Agrawal, former Treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (CPCC), on 11 August in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The arrest was carried out by the ED's Raipur Zonal Office, with Agrawal subsequently produced before the Special PMLA Court in Raipur, which remanded him to ED custody for seven days until 18 August.
Background of the Case
The ED's investigation stems from an FIR registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau in Raipur, followed by charge sheets filed before the Special Court (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Raipur. The case alleges criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and corruption in Chhattisgarh's excise administration during the period 2019 to 2023 — spanning the tenure of the then Congress government in the state.
The Alleged Syndicate and Proceeds of Crime
According to the ED, a syndicate comprising Anil Tuteja (retired IAS officer), Anwar Dhebar, and Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS) allegedly orchestrated a large-scale operation in the state's liquor trade. The group reportedly generated proceeds of crime amounting to approximately ₹3,000 crore through multiple channels — including illegal commission on accounted liquor sales, sale of unaccounted country liquor, annual commission collected from distillers, and commissions from foreign liquor companies in exchange for FL-10A licences.
Agrawal's Alleged Role
The ED has stated that a substantial portion of the cash proceeds of crime was delivered to Agrawal in his capacity as CPCC Treasurer. Statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA from individuals who handled and transported the cash indicate that deliveries were made at Agrawal's instance through syndicate handlers at Rajiv Bhawan in Raipur — the then office of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee. Agrawal was already lodged as an undertrial in Raipur Central Jail at the time of his ED arrest.
Non-Cooperation with Investigation
The ED noted that Agrawal failed to respond to four summons issued under Section 50 of the PMLA, and when he did eventually record a statement, he reportedly gave evasive replies. The agency arrested him under Section 19 of the PMLA.
What Comes Next
The ED has confirmed that further investigation in the case is ongoing. The seven-day custody period, running until 18 August, is expected to yield further questioning on the movement and layering of the alleged proceeds. The Chhattisgarh liquor scam has already drawn in multiple accused and remains one of the most politically significant money laundering probes in central India.
Point of View
Not winding down. The allegation that cash was delivered directly to the Congress party's state headquarters at Rajiv Bhawan is politically explosive and, if proven, would represent one of the most direct links between organised excise fraud and a ruling party's finances in recent memory. What mainstream coverage underplays is the structural nature of the alleged scheme: FL-10A licence commissions and distiller levies suggest systemic capture of the excise apparatus, not opportunistic graft. With further investigation ongoing and multiple accused already named, the question is how high the chain of alleged accountability runs — and whether the probe will reach figures beyond the bureaucratic and treasurer level.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Ramgopal Agrawal and why was he arrested?
Ramgopal Agrawal is the former Treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate on 11 August under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in connection with the Chhattisgarh liquor scam, which alleges corruption in the state's excise administration between 2019 and 2023.
What is the Chhattisgarh liquor scam?
The Chhattisgarh liquor scam refers to alleged large-scale corruption in the state's excise administration during 2019 to 2023. A syndicate allegedly generated proceeds of crime worth approximately ₹3,000 crore through illegal commissions on liquor sales, unaccounted country liquor trade, and payments from distillers and foreign liquor companies.
How long is Ramgopal Agrawal in ED custody?
The Special PMLA Court in Raipur remanded Agrawal to ED custody for seven days, from 11 August to 18 August, for further questioning on the alleged money laundering.
Who are the other accused in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam?
According to the ED, the alleged syndicate was orchestrated by Anil Tuteja (retired IAS), Anwar Dhebar, and Arun Pati Tripathi (ITS). Agrawal's arrest adds a political dimension, given his role as the then CPCC Treasurer.
What evidence does the ED have against Agrawal?
The ED says statements recorded under Section 50 of the PMLA from cash handlers indicate that proceeds of crime were delivered to Agrawal at Rajiv Bhawan in Raipur, the then CPCC office. He also failed to respond to four summons and gave evasive replies when he did record a statement.
