The Raipur Zonal Office of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has issued a Provisional Attachment Order (PAO) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), attaching eight immovable properties valued at approximately Rs 2.66 crore. These assets, including land parcels and residential flats, were allegedly acquired using proceeds from illegal coal levy collection and extortion activities in Chhattisgarh.
The ED’s action is part of investigations related to the coal levy scam. The probe, triggered by an FIR filed by Bengaluru Police, has revealed that a syndicate, involving private individuals, senior state politicians, and bureaucrats, operated an extortion racket between July 2020 and June 2022.
The group reportedly collected Rs 25 per tonne of coal transported, accumulating around Rs 540 crore in illegal levies. These funds were used for bribes, election expenses, and property purchases. The ED has identified and attached properties worth Rs 273 crore belonging to various accused in the case, with arrests made and Prosecution Complaints filed against multiple individuals.
The latest attachment targets “benami” acquisitions linked to key figures Saumya Chaurasia and Nikhil Chandrakar, emphasizing the use of family members to hide illicit gains. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts to trace the money trail and uncover more assets. The coal levy scam has been a significant focus in Chhattisgarh, leading to arrests and asset seizures.
