ED Targets High-Profile Chhattisgarh Officers
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recommended action against ten senior IAS and IPS officers in connection with the massive ₹570 crore Chhattisgarh coal levy scam. The move marks a significant escalation in one of the state’s biggest corruption cases, involving both bureaucrats and businessmen.
According to sources, the recommendation has been formally sent to Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain and the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). The ED’s findings highlight violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act, based on evidence collected during extensive raids and investigations.
How the Coal Levy Scam Operated
The coal scam revolved around the alleged manipulation of permit systems. In July 2020, the process of coal permit conversion was shifted from online to offline mode. This change allegedly opened the door for illegal levies to be collected from coal traders.
Officials claim that coal traders were forced to pay money to secure permits, which were routed through unauthorized channels. The ED says the system created an organized chain of illicit payments that benefitted both officials and private players.
IAS officer Sameer Vishnoi, who was then the Mines Director, is accused of issuing the order that enabled offline permits. His name, along with other senior officials, has figured prominently in the case files.
Key Accused and Arrests
The ED has identified businessman Suryakant Tiwari as the mastermind of the scam. Several high-ranking officials have also been implicated, including:
- IAS Sameer Vishnoi – Former Mines Director
- IAS Ranu Sahu – Senior official named in the FIR
- Soumya Chaurasia – Former Deputy Secretary to then Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel
These individuals were arrested in January 2024 after the EOW registered a case. However, all of them are currently out on bail.
The ED’s report cites seized documents, witness statements, and financial records to build its case against the accused. The agency alleges that the officers facilitated illegal coal levies by misusing their administrative positions.
Raids and Related Investigations
The coal scam probe has also expanded into related financial irregularities. In a fresh round of searches, the ED conducted raids in Raipur, Bilaspur, and Dhamtari. These operations targeted business groups linked to the Raheja and Sultania families.
Officials seized financial documents, property records, and digital evidence. The raids were connected to the ongoing Custom Milling Scam, where irregularities in paddy milling and grain trading are also under scrutiny.
Investigators are now examining whether these groups had direct ties to public officials involved in the coal scam. The ED is expected to estimate the full financial impact of the alleged malpractices once its analysis of the seized materials is complete.
Chhattisgarh Government’s Next Steps
The ED’s recommendations are now before the Chhattisgarh government and the EOW. The state administration is expected to review the report and decide on disciplinary or legal action against the officers.
Legal experts say that if the state fails to act, the ED may press for stronger measures under central anti-corruption laws. The case could also set a precedent for accountability among senior bureaucrats accused of financial crimes.
The coal levy scam has already drawn national attention due to the scale of alleged corruption and the rank of those involved. With both the ED and the EOW pursuing parallel investigations, the outcome will likely shape future debates on corruption and governance in mineral-rich states.
Wider Implications for Chhattisgarh
The revelations come at a politically sensitive time. Chhattisgarh, a coal-rich state, has often faced allegations of illegal mining and levy collection. The latest findings deepen concerns about how administrative loopholes were exploited for private gain.
Observers believe the case could shake public trust in governance if not addressed with transparency. Moreover, the links between business networks and officials may force greater scrutiny of how mining permits and related clearances are granted.
For now, the state awaits the next steps from the government, while the ED continues to pursue leads in both the coal and milling scams.