What is the coal levy scam?

The coal levy scam is an alleged case of illegal extortion of money from coal transporters in Chhattisgarh by a cartel of bureaucrats, businessmen, politicians and middlemen. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and has arrested and attached assets of several people involved in the scam, including IAS officers, Congress MLAs and coal businessmen.

How did the scam operate?

According to the ED, the scam involved a cartel that was allegedly extorting an illegal levy of Rs 25 per tonne for every tonne of coal transported in the state. The cartel allegedly had links with senior officials of the state government, including collectors, directors and managing directors of various departments.

The cartel also allegedly had influence over the local police and administration to ensure the smooth functioning of the scam. The ED estimates that the scam could be worth over Rs 800 crore.

Who are the main accused?

The ED has named several people as accused in the case, including:

Suryakant Tiwari, a coal businessman who is considered to be the kingpin of the scam. He was arrested by the ED in May 2023 and his assets worth Rs 170 crore were attached. Suryakant Tiwari is the main accused in the scam. He allegedly ran a cartel that extorted money from coal transporters and miners. He had financial linkages with several politicians, bureaucrats and middlemen. He is also in judicial custody after his arrest by the ED.

Ranu Sahu is also an accused in the coal levy scam case. She is an IAS officer of the 2010 batch who was the collector of Raigarh and Korba districts, where most of the coal mines are located. She was arrested by the ED in July 2023 and her assets worth Rs 5.5 crore were attached. She was allegedly in touch with Suryakant Tiwari through the latter’s relative. She is also in judicial custody after her arrest by the ED .

Sameer Vishnoi, another IAS officer of the 2009 batch who was also posted as collector of Raigarh and Korba districts. Sameer Vishnoi is also an accused in the scam. He was arrested by the ED in October 2022 and has been in custody ever since. He was also allegedly in touch with Suryakant Tiwari and involved in the extortion racket. He is also in judicial custody after his arrest by the ED.

Saumya Chaurasia, is a Chhattisgarh Civil Service officer who was posted as deputy secretary in Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel’s office. She is one of the key accused in the illegal coal levy scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet against Saumya Chaurasia and seven others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and has also attached 51 properties, including eight Benami immovable assets worth Rs 7.57 crore of Saumya Chaurasia in the case. Saumya Chaurasia and other accused are currently in judicial custody after their arrest by the ED.

Devender Yadav and Chandradev Prasad Rai, two Congress MLAs from Khairagarh and Lormi constituencies respectively. They are accused of receiving money from Suryakant Tiwari for their election campaigns. Their assets worth Rs 51.40 crore were attached by the ED in May 2023. They have not been arrested by the ED so far.

Ram Gopal Agarwal, the state treasurer of Congress and a close aide of CM Bhupesh Baghel. He is accused of having financial linkages with Tiwari and facilitating his business interests. His assets worth Rs 51.40 crore were attached by the ED in May 2023. He has not been arrested by the ED so far.

Sunil Agarwal, Laxmi Kant Tiwari and Vinod Tiwari, three businessmen who are associates of Suryakant Tiwari. They were arrested by the ED in October 2022 and their assets worth Rs 170 crore were attached.

What are the political implications?

The case has political implications as some of the accused are close to Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel, who belongs to the Congress party. The CM has alleged that the ED raids are politically motivated and aimed at targeting his government. He has also claimed that the central government’s close friends are interested in mining sites in Chhattisgarh and that his government is becoming a hurdle in their path.

The ED has alleged that the proceeds obtained illegally were diverted to the party funds and other individuals, claiming that the funds were used during the Khairagarh bypolls.

The BJP, on the other hand, has demanded a CBI probe into the scam and accused Baghel of shielding his associates. The BJP has also alleged that Baghel is involved in other corruption cases, such as a disproportionate assets case and a land grab case.

What is the current status?

The investigation is still ongoing and more arrests and attachments are likely to take place. The ED has also sought information from various state departments, such as mining, transport, revenue and police, to gather more evidence. The accused have denied any wrongdoing and have moved courts for bail or quashing of FIRs. The case is likely to have a significant impact on the political scenario in Chhattisgarh ahead of the next assembly elections in 2028.

The total value of attached properties in this case stands at about Rs 221.5 crore.