Raipur, India — In a major crackdown on alleged financial irregularities, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) have arrested eight individuals in connection with a massive overtime payment scam involving Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited.
₹115 Crore Fraud Uncovered
According to investigators, the scam took place between the financial years 2019–20 and 2023–24, during which approximately ₹115 crore (about $14 million USD) was disbursed to manpower agencies under the pretext of overtime payments.
However, preliminary findings indicate that a significant portion of these funds was siphoned off through fake and inflated billing. Instead of being paid to employees for legitimate overtime work, the money was allegedly diverted as illegal commissions to officials and private individuals.
Modus Operandi: Fake Billing and Commission Network
Investigators revealed that manpower agencies generated fabricated or exaggerated overtime bills, which lacked transparency regarding actual employee attendance and work performed. These bills were then processed to release government funds.
Authorities allege that:
- A large share of the funds never reached employees
- Payments were routed as commissions among agency operators, officials, and intermediaries
- Companies involved retained a substantial portion of the money
This points to what officials describe as an organized economic offense involving systematic misuse of government payment processes.
Arrested Individuals
Those arrested include directors and representatives of multiple manpower and service companies, as well as a financial consultant:
- Neeraj Kumar Chaudhary — Financial and tax advisor (CA), linked to Eagle Inter Solution Ltd. and Alert Commandos Pvt. Ltd.
- Ajay Lohia — Director, Alert Commandos Pvt. Ltd.
- Ajit Darandale — Director, Sumeet Facilities Company
- Amit Prabhakar Salunke — Director, Sumeet Facilities Ltd.
- Amit Mittal — Chairman and Director, A-2-Z Infraservices Ltd.
- Rajeev Dwivedi — Director, Primeone Workforce Pvt. Ltd.
- Sanjeev Jain — Director, Primeone Workforce Pvt. Ltd.
(Authorities confirmed a total of eight arrests in the case.)
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
The accused have been charged under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and presented before a special court, which has remanded them to police custody until May 11, 2026.
During the remand period, investigators will focus on:
- Tracing the flow of funds
- Identifying end beneficiaries
- Examining the role of government officials
- Uncovering the full extent of the commission network
Impact and Broader Concerns
Officials stated that the scam effectively deprived employees of their rightful overtime wages while causing significant financial loss to the state exchequer. The case highlights serious gaps in oversight and transparency within public-sector payment systems.
Authorities believe further revelations are likely as interrogation continues, potentially exposing a wider network of individuals involved in the scheme.
This case is emerging as one of the most significant financial fraud investigations in the state, underscoring the need for stricter monitoring mechanisms in government-linked financial operations.
