Raipur : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that a substantial amount of cash generated from the alleged ₹3,000 crore Chhattisgarh liquor scam was handed over to former Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) treasurer Ramgopal Agrawal.
The agency made the allegation on Wednesday as part of its ongoing money-laundering investigation into the alleged liquor scam. Agrawal was arrested by the ED on Tuesday from Raipur Central Jail in connection with the case.
A special court dealing with cases under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) had sent Agrawal to seven days of ED custody following his arrest.
ED Alleges Cash Was Delivered to Congress Office
According to the ED, a significant portion of the alleged proceeds of crime was generated in cash and was subsequently handed over to Agrawal, who was serving as the treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee at the time.
In its statement, the agency alleged that statements of individuals involved in handling and transferring the cash indicated that the money was delivered to Rajiv Bhawan in Raipur, which was then the office of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee.
The ED has claimed that the cash was allegedly transported to the Congress office at Agrawal’s direction and through operators associated with the alleged liquor syndicate.
What Is the Alleged Liquor Scam?
The ED has alleged that the purported liquor scam operated between 2019 and 2022, during the tenure of the Congress government led by then Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in Chhattisgarh.
According to the agency, an organised network allegedly generated approximately ₹3,000 crore in illicit proceeds through multiple channels linked to the state’s liquor trade.
The alleged methods of generating illicit funds included:
- Illegal commissions on the sale of accounted liquor.
- Sale of unaccounted or unauthorised country-made liquor.
- Annual commissions allegedly collected from liquor manufacturers.
- Commissions allegedly collected from foreign liquor companies.
- Payments allegedly received in connection with the issuance of FL-10A licences.
The ED has been investigating the alleged flow and laundering of these funds as part of its wider money-laundering case.
Allegations Against Ramgopal Agrawal
The agency has specifically alleged that a large portion of the cash generated through the alleged criminal proceeds was passed on to Ramgopal Agrawal, who was the state Congress treasurer during the period under investigation.
The ED has relied on statements of people allegedly involved in the handling and movement of cash to support its allegations regarding the delivery of money to Rajiv Bhawan.
However, these are allegations made by the investigating agency and remain subject to judicial proceedings.
Congress Rejects ED Allegations
The Congress party has rejected the allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate.
The party has described the investigation as a case of political vendetta by the BJP-led central government and has maintained that the allegations levelled by the ED are false.
The allegations and counter-allegations are part of an ongoing legal and political dispute, with the matter currently under investigation and judicial consideration.
Seven-Day ED Custody
Following his arrest from Raipur Central Jail on Tuesday, a PMLA court granted the ED seven days of custody of Agrawal.
The agency is expected to question him regarding the alleged generation, movement and use of proceeds connected with the liquor case and examine the financial trail alleged to have linked the cash to various individuals and entities.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further developments are expected as the ED continues to examine the alleged money trail and the role of individuals associated with the case.
Important: The allegations against Ramgopal Agrawal and other individuals mentioned in the case are allegations by the Enforcement Directorate. They have not been established as facts by a court unless and until proven through judicial proceedings.
