Chetan Borghariya, who served as an OSD in former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office from 2019 to 2022, has been sent to six-day ED custody
Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Chetan Borghariya, Additional Collector of Chhattisgarh’s Balrampur-Ramanujganj district, in connection with its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) recruitment process.
Borghariya, a state civil services officer, was taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) after being questioned at the ED’s Raipur office. The agency has alleged that he was evasive during questioning.
He was produced before a special PMLA court, which granted the ED six days of custodial remand. Borghariya is expected to remain in ED custody until September 16, when he will be produced before the court again.
Borghariya Served as OSD in Bhupesh Baghel’s Office
Borghariya had earlier served as an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) in the office of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel between 2019 and 2022.
The ED had conducted searches at premises linked to Borghariya in Balrampur and Dhamtari on September 1 as part of the ongoing investigation.
The probe is linked to allegations of corruption, question-paper leaks and manipulation in the CGPSC state service examinations conducted in 2020 and 2021.
ED’s Third Arrest in the Case
Borghariya’s arrest is the third arrest by the ED in the money laundering investigation.
The agency had earlier arrested former CGPSC chairman Taman Singh Sonwani and Utkarsh Chandrakar, the nephew of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s former personal assistant K.K. Chandravanshi, also known as K.K. Chandrakar.
The broader recruitment controversy has also been investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The case traces back to an FIR registered by the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW), followed by a CBI complaint in July 2024 and three charge sheets filed in 2025.
What Does the ED Allege?
According to the ED, candidates seeking favourable outcomes in the CGPSC 2021 examination allegedly paid at least ₹3.2 crore to obtain leaked question papers. The agency has claimed that a substantial portion of the alleged payments was made in cash.
The agency is also examining alleged financial links between Borghariya and Utkarsh Chandrakar. ED officials have claimed that Borghariya’s bank records and digital devices seized during the investigation revealed transactions between the two.
An ED lawyer has also alleged that ₹7 lakh was transferred by Utkarsh Chandrakar to an account linked to Borghariya. The agency is examining the nature and source of the transaction as part of its money laundering investigation.
Investigation Continues
The ED’s latest action is part of a wider investigation into alleged irregularities in the CGPSC recruitment examinations and the suspected movement of proceeds linked to the alleged corruption.
The agency is now expected to question Borghariya about the alleged financial transactions, his relationship with other accused persons and the possible movement of funds connected with the recruitment case.
The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. Arrest or remand does not by itself establish guilt, and the accused will have the opportunity to contest the allegations before the appropriate court.
