The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its crackdown on the alleged Bharatmala Project land compensation scam in Chhattisgarh by provisionally attaching 62 properties worth around ₹12.78 crore linked to the Gandhi-Tiwari family. The action is part of an ongoing money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in compensation paid for land acquired under the Raipur–Visakhapatnam National Highway project.

According to the ED, the attached assets include land parcels, residential properties and other immovable assets, along with investments allegedly created using proceeds of the suspected fraud.

Assets Attached Under PMLA

The Raipur Zonal Office of the ED issued Provisional Attachment Order No. 17/2026 on July 31, attaching properties allegedly acquired through illegally obtained compensation.

The agency stated that investigations revealed a conspiracy involving landowners, brokers and revenue officials, who allegedly manipulated land records after the acquisition notification to obtain inflated compensation.

Land Allegedly Split to Claim Higher Compensation

According to the ED, several land parcels were transferred among family members through sale deeds and gift deedsbefore acquisition.

The agency alleges that these transactions enabled the land to be divided into smaller holdings, allowing beneficiaries to claim compensation beyond their legitimate entitlement under the acquisition rules.

Investigators claim the strategy resulted in crores of rupees in excess compensation, with the funds subsequently invested in real estate and financial instruments.

Properties and Financial Investments Under Scanner

Besides immovable assets, the ED has also attached shares and mutual fund investments worth ₹4.69 crore allegedly purchased using the proceeds of the suspected fraud.

The agency has filed a supplementary prosecution complaint before a special court against 14 accused, including businessman Jai Prakash Gandhi, in connection with the money laundering investigation.

Businessman, Woman Among Key Accused

The ED had earlier arrested Jai Prakash Gandhi in June 2026. During previous searches, officials recovered ₹49 lakh in cash and silver worth approximately ₹89 lakh from premises linked to him.

Investigators allege that Gandhi and his family were legitimately entitled to receive ₹56.76 lakh as compensation but were instead paid around ₹9.83 crore, resulting in an alleged wrongful gain of nearly ₹9.27 crore.

The agency further alleged that Uma Tiwari fraudulently claimed to be the adopted daughter of a deceased landowner and, using allegedly forged revenue documents, received around ₹2.13 crore in compensation.

Probe Originated From EOW-ACB FIR

The ED initiated its investigation based on an FIR registered on April 23, 2025, by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Chhattisgarh.

The FIR named former Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) and Competent Authority for Land Acquisition (CALA) Nirbhay Sahu, along with several others, over alleged irregularities in compensation payments. A chargesheet has already been filed in the predicate offence.

Over ₹36 Crore Assets Attached So Far

With the latest attachment, the ED said the total value of assets attached in the Bharatmala land compensation scam has reached ₹36.14 crore.

The agency said investigations are continuing and further action may follow as it examines the role of additional beneficiaries, middlemen and public officials allegedly involved in the case.