ED Raids in Bilaspur and Durg Over Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam

Enforcement Directorate seizes 17 kg gold, diamond jewellery and cash from premises linked to absconding accused in major liquor policy case

In a major overnight operation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted extensive searches at multiple locations in Bilaspur and Durg in connection with the ongoing probe into the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. Teams spent nearly 22 hours at the residence and business establishments of Vivek Agrawal, brother of absconding accused Vikas Agrawal alias Subbu, recovering significant quantities of gold, diamond jewellery and cash, according to initial reports from the ground.

The action, which began in the early hours of Thursday, targeted properties linked to individuals allegedly connected with the multi-crore liquor syndicate. While the ED is yet to issue an official statement on the exact recoveries, sources familiar with the development indicated that valuables worth several crores were taken into possession from Vivek Agrawal’s premises in Bilaspur.

Intense scrutiny at Magneto Mall residence

ED officials reached Vivek Agrawal’s house located at Magneto Mall in Bilaspur early Thursday morning. Security was tightened immediately, with CRPF personnel deployed and all entry points sealed. Teams conducted a thorough examination of documents, electronic devices and other materials inside the property, with the operation continuing late into the night.

A parallel team simultaneously visited his jewellery shop, Shriram Jewellers in Sadar Bazaar. Officers examined stock registers, purchase-sale records and investment-related papers at the outlet. The prolonged presence of ED vehicles and personnel drew attention in the area, though locals remained largely unaware of the full scope initially.

Link to absconding accused Vikas Agrawal alias Subbu

The raids are primarily focused on tracing the financial trail of Vikas Agrawal, also known as Subbu, who is considered a close associate of jailed businessman Anwar Dhebar. Anwar Dhebar is one of the key figures named in the liquor scam probe. Vikas Agrawal has been absconding for nearly four years and has been declared a proclaimed offender by the court.

Investigators believe Vikas and his brother Vivek were involved in facilitating the collection of alleged commissions from liquor vends. Sources said the agency is examining whether unaccounted assets and investments in the jewellery business were used to park or launder proceeds linked to the scam. ED teams are now scrutinising benami properties and recent high-value transactions in the brothers’ names.

Action in Durg targets BJP leader and builder

Simultaneously, ED teams carried out searches at the residence and office of Chaturbhuj Rathi, a prominent businessman and active BJP leader in Durg. Rathi is associated with several firms, including Amar Infra (Amar Buildcon), Amar Mahabir Coal Mines, Amar Private Limited and Tar Carpet Private Limited. These companies are reportedly involved in road and bridge construction, shopping mall projects and coal mining.

Officials examined financial records and investment documents of nearly half a dozen firms linked to him. Rathi had been in the news earlier when the Income Tax department conducted searches during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Speculation about his possible contest in the 2023 assembly polls had also surfaced earlier.

In Bhilai, teams also visited the residence and factory of Govind Mandal in E-Block, Vitthal Puram. Mandal later claimed that the team had reached his premises by mistake and was actually looking for another location. The searches lasted several hours.

Background of Chhattisgarh liquor scam

The ED’s investigation stems from a larger liquor policy scam allegedly committed during the previous Bhupesh Baghel government. The agency had registered a case based on an FIR filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau. The probe points to a syndicate involving certain IAS officers, including former Excise Department Managing Director A.P. Tripathi, and businessmen like Anwar Dhebar.

According to preliminary findings, the racket allegedly operated through multiple routes: collecting commissions from distilleries (initially ₹75 per case, later raised), circulating spurious liquor with fake holograms through government outlets, and suppressing actual sales records in 15 selected districts. Over 40 lakh cases were reportedly sold without proper duty payment, causing losses running into thousands of crores to the state exchequer.

The syndicate allegedly used a network of shop operators, excise officials and transporters to move unaccounted liquor bearing duplicate holograms. MRP was reportedly manipulated, and extra payments were made to distillery owners to offset commission costs through over-billing and tender adjustments.

Public interest and ongoing probe

These fresh raids come amid heightened scrutiny of money laundering angles in various scams reported from the state. The recovery of substantial gold and diamond jewellery has added a new dimension to the financial investigation. Locals in Bilaspur’s commercial areas expressed surprise at the scale of the operation, though many refrained from commenting openly.

ED officials are now focusing on connecting the dots between the absconding accused, his family’s business interests and possible proceeds of crime. Further summons and analysis of seized material are expected in the coming days.

The agency is also examining similar financial links in other locations as the probe widens. Officials indicated that more actions cannot be ruled out if additional evidence surfaces.

As the investigation progresses, questions are being raised about the depth of the network that allegedly operated for years. Authorities have maintained a tight lid on specifics, citing the sensitive nature of the case.