Ramgopal Agrawal arrested in Chhattisgarh liquor scam

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ramgopal Agrawal, the former treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, in connection with an alleged liquor scam estimated to be worth approximately Rs 3,000 crore.

Agrawal, who was being held as an undertrial in Raipur Central Jail, was remanded to ED custody for seven days until August 18 by a special PMLA court. The agency stated that Agrawal failed to appear after four summons and provided “evasive replies” during recent questioning. Investigators allege that a substantial portion of the illicit cash generated by the syndicate was delivered to Agrawal at the party’s former headquarters, Rajiv Bhawan, in Raipur.

The investigation focuses on irregularities occurring between 2019 and 2022 during the Congress-led government of former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The ED claims a criminal syndicate involving senior bureaucrats and political figures controlled the state’s excise department, causing a revenue loss of roughly Rs 2,883 crore. To date, the agency has filed multiple charge sheets naming approximately 81 to 85 individuals, including Chaitanya Baghel, the former excise commissioner, and other high-ranking officials.