New Delhi :
The Raipur Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate has taken major action in the coal levy scam of Chhattisgarh. The ED has attached more than 100 movable and immovable properties of accused Suryakant Tiwari and other concerned people in this case. The total price of these properties has been estimated at Rs 49.73 crore. These include bank balance, vehicles, cash, jewelry and land.
ED investigation revealed that some people made illegal recovery from coal transporters after connivance with senior politicians and bureaucrats of the state. Between July 2020 and June 2022, illegal levy of Rs 25 was collected at every ton of coal. It is estimated that a total of Rs 540 crore was illegally recovered during this period.
Where did the illegal amount spent?
Investigation has revealed that the amount of this scam was spent in bribing government officials and politicians. Also, this illegal amount was used for election expenses. The accused bought many movable and immovable property from this.
Their assets have already been attached
This is not the first time in this case that the ED has attached these assets. Earlier, the properties of many other people have been attached. In the past, ED has attached assets worth Rs 55.37 crore. These assets belonged to these people-
Ranu Sahu (IAS)
Sameer Bishnoi (IAS)
Soumya Chaurasia (then Chief Minister’s OSD)
Jai Prakash Maurya (IAS)
Ram Gopal Aggarwal
Ram Pratap Singh
Vinod Tiwari
Chandra Dev Prasad Rai
Devendra Singh Yadav
11 arrests, charge sheet against 26
The ED is investigating in this case and 11 accused have been arrested so far. Also, three charge sheet against 26 accused has been filed in the special court (PMLA).
A total of Rs 270 crore assets attached
During the investigation, properties worth more than Rs 270 crore have been attached so far. The ED is investigating the matter deeply and further action will continue.
