Raipur, Nov 23 (LatestNewsX) – On Sunday, the Anti‑Corruption Bureau and the Economic Offences Wing carried out coordinated raids at more than 20 sites throughout Chhattisgarh, targeting a multi‑crore scandal involving the District Mineral Foundation and illegal liquor deals that have long troubled the state’s mining and excise industries. The operations stretched from Raipur to Jagdalpur, sending shockwaves through government circles and business networks. Homes, offices and premises belonging to suspected officials, contractors and businessmen were sealed for a thorough search.
These raids followed earlier sweeps in October, when the wing investigated 14 locations in Raipur, Durg‑Bhilai and Rajnandgaon, uncovering digital footprints that linked money flows to a network of politicians and intermediaries. The latest night‑early raids began with a heavy‑security cordon around a prominent businessman’s property in Sargipal, Kondagaon, as investigators combed through documents, computer logs and financial ledgers for more than two hours.
Similar scenes unfolded in Bilaspur, Ambikapur and other districts, where teams seized hard drives, bank statements and deeds that could expose illicit transactions. Sources say this is one of the largest state‑wide probes into graft, focusing on irregularities in DMF supplies during 2019‑20. During that period, funds earmarked for mining‑affected tribal communities—amounting to hundreds of crores—were allegedly siphoned off through bogus tenders, inflated bills and kickbacks.
The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) requires mining companies to set aside up to a third of their royalties for local welfare projects such as health, education and infrastructure. Investigations have revealed a close network of officials and suppliers diverting these resources, leaving the vulnerable communities in the dark. The excise affair, involving a Rs 3,200 crore liquor syndicate from 2019‑23, saw officials amass Rs 88 crore in illicit assets through rigged contracts and controversial FL‑10 licences.
More than 200 corrupt officers have been detained in the past two years. In Raipur’s Civil Lines, a former excise officer’s office yielded ledgers hinting at undeclared commissions. With forensic audits underway, Chhattisgarh’s anti‑graft machinery signals zero tolerance, aiming to recover stolen public wealth and restore faith in governance.
sktr/uk
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