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The Supreme Court will next week hear the regular bail pleas of 12 individuals accused in the high-profile Chhattisgarh coal levy scam, including former IAS officer Ranu Sahu, senior bureaucrat Sameer Vishnoi, and Soumya Chaurasia, a former deputy secretary to the Chief Minister.
All the accused had earlier been granted interim bail.
The case, involving alleged corruption and money laundering amounting to ₹500 crore, has been under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The scam reportedly involved illegal levies imposed on coal transportation through manipulations in government regulations.
ED Faces Criticism Over Delays
During a recent hearing, the Additional Solicitor General’s (ASG) junior requested adjournment, prompting remarks from the bench led by Justice Surya Kant.
The bench suggested allocating the case to another ASG to ensure timely proceedings, noting that ASG SV Raju was excessively burdened.
Strict Bail Conditions Imposed Earlier
The Supreme Court laid down strict conditions when it granted interim bail.
The court had warned that any attempt by the accused to influence witnesses, tamper with evidence, or obstruct the investigation would lead to immediate cancellation of bail.
The court also directed the accused to maintain good conduct and comply with its orders.
Discrepancies In Assets & Income
Investigations by the ED and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) have revealed massive financial discrepancies.
Investigators allege that Ranu Sahu acquired assets worth nearly ₹4 crore between 2015 and 2022, despite declaring an income of only ₹92 lakh during the same period.
Similarly, Sameer Vishnoi reportedly earned ₹93 lakh in government salary from 2010 to 2022 but purchased properties worth over ₹5 crore in his wife’s name- over 500 times his income.
Soumya Chaurasia’s Real Estate Holdings Under Scrutiny
The EOW has also confirmed that Soumya Chaurasia and her family own at least 29 immovable properties worth ₹9.2 crore.
These properties are now under investigation, with several suspected to be benami assets.
The ED’s ongoing probe into the Chhattisgarh coal scam has also linked the case to the broader liquor scam in the state.
The agency alleges a well-orchestrated racket of illegal collections and financial misappropriation involving government officials, political aides, and businessmen.
Next Week’s Hearing Crucial For Accused
The upcoming Supreme Court hearing is likely to be decisive in determining the course of the trial and the legal standing of the accused.
The outcome may also influence the broader investigations underway in Chhattisgarh’s high-profile corruption cases.
Also Read: Allahabad High Court Rejects Bail Plea Of Former SP Manilal Patidar
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