C’garh: ED Searches Premises Of 2 Ex-Aides Of Former CM Baghel In PSC Scam
Officials said that a total of seven locations in Bhilai, Durg and Raipur are being raided as part of the probe initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths on Tuesday conducted searches at seven locations in Chhattisgarh, including the premises of two ex-aides of former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a money laundering case linked to irregularities in the state public service commission (PSC).
Officials said that a total of seven locations in Bhilai, Durg and Raipur are being raided as part of the probe initiated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The premises of people searched by the ED included K. K. Chandravanshi, former personal Assistant (PA) of Mr. Baghel, and Chetan Borgharia, former officer-on-special duty (OSD) of Mr. Baghel.
The money laundering probe followed an FIR filed by the economic offence wing (EOW) of Chhattisgarh police and a subsequent complaint filed by the CBI in July 2024.
Former chairman of Chhattisgarh state PSC, Toman Singh Sonwani, was arrested by the Central agency in July as part of the investigation related to alleged corruption, question paper leaks, and manipulation of the state PSC conducted service examinations.
In a statement issued on July 27, the ED said that while functioning as Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC) chairman, Sonwani had entered into a criminal conspiracy with other public servants and private individuals to leak question papers and manipulate the selection process in exchange for illegal gratification.
“The recruitment rules of CGPSC were amended in 2021 to remove the word ‘nephew’ from the definition of ‘family’, thereby facilitating the selection of relatives of Sonwani”, the ED had said.
The proceeds of the crime were collected partly in cash and partly routed through layered banking transactions, it said.