The Enforcement Directorate in Raipur discovered significant findings during searches on December 29 in Raipur and Mahasamund districts of Chhattisgarh. The searches were related to alleged illegal compensation disbursements for land acquisition under the Raipur-Visakhapatnam Highway Project, part of the Bharatmala Pariyojana scheme. A money laundering probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act was initiated based on an FIR filed by the Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offences Wing.
Investigations revealed a conspiracy where accused parties manipulated compensation norms by dividing large land parcels into smaller holdings. This allowed them to secure inflated compensation through falsified records. The ED seized cash amounting to Rs. 40 lakh, digital devices, and incriminating documents during raids at the suspects’ residences. Assets acquired from proceeds of crime were also identified.
The Bharatmala Pariyojana, aimed at developing economic corridors, faced scrutiny due to irregularities flagged by state agencies. The ED’s intervention followed probes indicating embezzlement through similar tactics. The agency is conducting further investigations to trace the full extent of the proceeds of crime and attach additional assets. This highlights the increasing focus on transparency in large-scale public projects involving land acquisition.
