Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate is not involved in this filing; the latest action has been taken by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Chhattisgarh in the state’s high-profile coal levy case. The agency has filed its sixth supplementary chargesheet, running to around 9,500 pages, before the Special Court against 12 accused.
According to the EOW, its investigation in Crime No. 03/2024 has uncovered allegations involving more than ₹500 crore in illegal coal levy collections, along with alleged illegal collections of ₹25 per tonne from coal transportation and ₹100 per tonne from the transportation of iron ore pellets.
The supplementary chargesheet reportedly details alleged cash transactions, political expenditure, property investments, WhatsApp conversations, diary entries, bank transactions and other digital and documentary evidence.
One of the prominent names mentioned in the chargesheet is Congress MLA Devendra Singh Yadav. The EOW has alleged that diary entries linked to Yadav recorded transactions totalling around ₹3 crore. Yadav, however, has rejected the allegations and said he has complete faith in the judiciary and the Constitution.
What Is the Chhattisgarh Coal Levy Case?
The case relates to allegations of an organised system through which money was allegedly collected from coal transporters and businesses involved in the coal trade.
According to the EOW, an arrangement was allegedly created under which ₹25 per tonne was collected from coal traders and transporters.
The agency has alleged that the money collected from different districts was brought to Raipur, where records of the collections were maintained and the funds were subsequently distributed.
The investigation also covers alleged criminal conspiracy, misuse of government procedures, movement of illegally collected money and investment of such funds in properties and businesses.
9,500-Page Sixth Supplementary Chargesheet
The EOW-ACB has filed its sixth supplementary chargesheet before the Special Court. The document is reported to contain approximately 9,500 pages.
Senior advocate Faizal Rizvi said the chargesheet was submitted electronically through a pen drive. According to him, the accused appeared before the court and the court accepted the chargesheet.
He also said that the exact contents of the voluminous document could only be assessed after examining the documents in detail. The court has reportedly directed that copies of the chargesheet be provided to the accused.
EOW’s Claim of More Than ₹500 Crore in Illegal Levy
According to the EOW, its investigation in Crime No. 03/2024 concerns an alleged illegal coal levy of more than ₹500 crore.
The agency said its investigation also covers other alleged collections, criminal conspiracy, alleged misuse of government procedures and transactions involving allegedly illegally acquired money.
The supplementary chargesheet has reportedly been filed under provisions including Sections 120-B, 420, 384, 467, 468, 471 and 109 of the Indian Penal Code, along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, as mentioned by the investigating agency.
How Was the Alleged ₹25-Per-Tonne Collection Organised?
The EOW has alleged that coal traders and transporters were required to pay ₹25 per tonne.
According to the agency, an order dated July 15, 2020, made approval from the District Mineral Officer mandatory before the issuance of online e-permits.
The EOW has alleged that this administrative process was subsequently used as part of the alleged collection mechanism. According to its claim, the process of granting permission for coal transportation moved forward only after the alleged payment was received.
The agency has further alleged that money collected from various districts was sent to Raipur, where accounts were maintained and the money was subsequently distributed.
Diaries, WhatsApp Chats and Bank Transactions
The EOW said its investigation following earlier chargesheets produced additional information regarding the alleged receipt and use of the money.
According to the agency, the material includes:
- Seized diaries
- WhatsApp chats
- Bank transactions
- Property-related documents
- Details of cash transactions
- Records allegedly showing expenditure on political and personal activities
- Information relating to investments in land and washeries
The agency has said that these materials were used to describe the alleged roles of the accused in the supplementary chargesheet.
Digital Evidence Linked to July 15, 2020 Order
The EOW has claimed that important digital evidence relating to the July 15, 2020 order was recovered from the mobile phone seized from Anurag Diwan.
According to the investigating agency, the administrative procedure for coal transportation was changed on the stated grounds of preventing revenue loss, although the agency claims that there was no concrete basis for such a loss.
The EOW has alleged that District Mineral Officer approval was subsequently made mandatory.
The agency has further claimed that Suryakant Tiwari and his associates held meetings in different districts during this period to establish the alleged coal collection mechanism.
Alleged Rest House Bookings in the Name of CM House
Another claim made by the EOW concerns government rest houses.
According to the agency, evidence recovered during the investigation allegedly shows that bookings were made in the name of the Chief Minister’s House for Suryakant Tiwari and his associates while they stayed in government rest houses in different districts.
The agency has also referred to emails and correspondence relating to BALCO. According to the EOW, these documents allegedly mention the addition of ₹25 per tonne to transportation bills as a levy payment.
The chargesheet also reportedly refers to a letter sent by Ambuja to the Mineral Department.
₹100 Per Tonne Alleged Collection From Iron Ore Pellets
The EOW has alleged that the collection system was not limited to coal.
According to the agency, investigators found evidence of an alleged ₹100-per-tonne collection from the transportation of iron ore pellets.
The agency said that on December 14, 2021, a proposal was sent to the government regarding the introduction of a transit-pass system for the transportation of iron ore and pellets.
The system was subsequently implemented through an order dated January 5, 2022, covering transportation by road and rail.
According to the EOW, then Director of Geology and Mining Jaiprakash Maurya held a meeting with pellet industry representatives and allegedly instructed them to pay ₹100 per tonne to Suryakant Tiwari or his associates.
These are allegations made by the investigating agency and remain subject to judicial scrutiny.
Who Are the 12 Accused Mentioned in the Supplementary Chargesheet?
According to the EOW, the sixth supplementary chargesheet refers to the alleged roles of 12 people:
- Ram Gopal Agrawal
- Devendra Singh Yadav
- Vinod Tiwari
- Rampratap Singh
- Chandradev Rai
- Jaiprakash Maurya
- Piyush Kumar Sahu
- Jogender Singh
- Anurag Chaurasia
- Deepesh Tank
- Sunil Kumar Agrawal
- Rahul Mishra
EOW Claims Against Ram Gopal Agrawal
According to the EOW, Ram Gopal Agrawal was the treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee and chairman of the Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation during the relevant period.
The agency has claimed that seized diaries contained 32 entries under references to “Bhawan” and “C PARTY”, involving a total of approximately ₹104.20 crore.
According to the EOW, the investigation found information suggesting that the money was taken to Rajiv Bhawan and received through Devendra Dadsena for the party.
The agency has also alleged that records relating to land purchases in the names of family-linked companies showed payments above the registered value, including alleged cash components.
Devendra Singh Yadav: EOW’s Claim of ₹3 Crore in Diary Entries
The EOW has made specific allegations concerning Congress MLA Devendra Singh Yadav.
According to the agency, 11 diary entries linked to Devendra Singh Yadav and a person identified as Nawaz recorded a total of approximately ₹3 crore.
The EOW has claimed that the entries included money allegedly sent for the Khairagarh by-election.
The agency has further alleged that Yadav had a role in receiving money from Suryakant Tiwari and using it for election-related activities and personal purposes.
However, these claims are part of the investigating agency’s case and have not been established as criminal liability by a final court judgment.
What Did Devendra Yadav Say?
Devendra Singh Yadav appeared before the court and said he had complete faith in the judiciary and the Constitution.
He said he would use all constitutional rights available to him and cooperate with the court whenever required.
Yadav also criticised the state government, accusing it of political conspiracy and describing it as a government controlled by others and influenced by industrial interests.
He said that his resolve could not be broken by imprisonment and that he would continue to fight for the people.
“I am a soldier of the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi. I will continue to fight for the people on every front and stand firmly.”
Yadav maintained that the legal process would take its course and expressed confidence in the judiciary.
Vinod Tiwari: Alleged ₹2.12 Crore in Entries
According to the EOW, 22 diary entries under the name of Vinod Tiwari or names allegedly linked to him recorded approximately ₹2.12 crore.
The agency has alleged that Tiwari received cash from Suryakant Tiwari and used it for political activities.
The chargesheet reportedly refers to alleged expenditure connected with the Khairagarh by-election, including hoarding payments and arrangements of funds for district panchayat office-bearers and members.
Rampratap Singh: Alleged ₹2.93 Crore
The EOW has said that 25 diary entries under “R P Singh” and “RP” were allegedly linked to Rampratap Singh and recorded around ₹2.92 crore.
According to the agency, Singh allegedly received cash and used it for personal expenses, political activities, media management and vehicle arrangements.
Chandradev Rai: Alleged ₹49.50 Lakh
The agency has alleged that four diary entries linked to former Bilaigarh MLA Chandradev Prasad Rai recorded approximately ₹49.50 lakh.
According to the EOW, the money was allegedly used for election-related expenses.
The agency has also referred to allegations that Suryakant Tiwari provided jewellery to Rai.
Jaiprakash Maurya: Alleged ₹1 Crore
According to the EOW, two diary entries linked to then Director of Geology and Mining Jaiprakash Maurya recorded approximately ₹1 crore.
The agency has alleged that Maurya received cash from Suryakant Tiwari and maintained contact in matters concerning the Mineral Department.
The EOW has also linked him to its allegation that pellet industry representatives were instructed to pay ₹100 per tonne.
Piyush Kumar Sahu: Alleged Property Investments
The EOW has alleged that Piyush Kumar Sahu played a role in investing money allegedly received from the coal levy in properties held in his own name and in the names of family members.
According to the agency, 13 properties connected with the family were purchased using payments from bank accounts as well as alleged cash payments over and above the registered values.
Jogender Singh: Alleged ₹40 Crore Transactions
According to the EOW, Jogender Singh was a business associate of Suryakant Tiwari.
The agency has alleged that Singh helped arrange cash through Jai Ambe Road Lines and allowed his firms’ bank accounts to be used for transactions.
The chargesheet reportedly contains details of approximately ₹40 crore transferred to seven firms and related transactions.
Anurag Chaurasia: Alleged Investment in Properties
The EOW has alleged that Anurag Chaurasia was involved in using money allegedly received by Saumya Chaurasia to purchase flats and land in the names of himself and family members.
According to the agency, the investigation examined transactions involving Motel Madhuban and family bank accounts.
The chargesheet reportedly contains details of the alleged receipt of funds, subsequent payments and investments in properties.
Deepesh Tank: Alleged Conversion of Cash Into Claimed Agricultural Income
According to the EOW, Deepesh Tank allegedly received cash above the registered value in a land transaction and subsequently showed the money as agricultural income.
The agency has alleged that even after the sale of the land, Tank continued to be involved in the operations and payments associated with Om Agro Farm.
The chargesheet reportedly examines the alleged investment of funds in land and farm-related activities and the alleged attempt to present the money as legitimate income.
Sunil Kumar Agrawal: Alleged Cash Handling and Washery Investment
The EOW has alleged that Sunil Kumar Agrawal of the Indramani Group was involved in keeping cash allegedly sent by Suryakant Tiwari, making further payments and investing money in the purchase of a washery.
According to the agency, transactions associated with the Indramani Group, washery and land purchases, along with the alleged use of cash, have been detailed in the chargesheet.
Rahul Mishra: Alleged Cash Handling
According to the EOW, Rahul Mishra worked on construction projects associated with Suryakant Tiwari.
The agency has alleged that large amounts of cash were kept with him and that, when required, the money was returned to Suryakant Tiwari through Nikhil Chandrakar.
The chargesheet reportedly contains details relating to construction payments and the alleged handling and safekeeping of cash.
Investigation Is Still Continuing
The filing of the sixth supplementary chargesheet does not necessarily mean that the investigation has completely ended.
The EOW has stated that further investigation into other suspected individuals and remaining transactions is continuing with the permission of the court under Section 173(8) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, as referred to by the agency.
This means that the investigation may continue even after the filing of the latest supplementary chargesheet.
What Happens Next?
The latest development puts the alleged financial transactions and the roles attributed to the 12 accused before the Special Court for further judicial proceedings.
The EOW has presented claims concerning more than ₹500 crore in alleged illegal coal levy collections, ₹25-per-tonne coal transportation collections, ₹100-per-tonne alleged collections from iron ore pellet transportation, cash transactions, political expenditure and investments in land, properties and washeries.
At the same time, allegations made in an investigation or chargesheet are not equivalent to a conviction. The prosecution will have to establish its allegations through evidence during the judicial process, while the accused have the right to contest the charges.
For Devendra Singh Yadav, the latest chargesheet represents another significant development in the long-running case. Yadav has denied the political allegations and said he has full faith in the judiciary and the Constitution.
The detailed contents of the approximately 9,500-page supplementary chargesheet and the evidence presented by the investigating agency will now be examined through the court proceedings.
