Kawasi Lakhma is arrested by ED in Liquor scam (X/@MrVickyPoonia)
Chhattisgarh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested former Chhattisgarh excise minister and current Congress MLA, Kawasi Lakhma, on Wednesday in connection with a major liquor scam. The scam, involving illicit financial dealings worth an estimated Rs 2,161 crore, allegedly took place between 2019 and 2022.
According to the ED, Kawasi Lakhma was the primary recipient of illicit cash proceeds during his tenure as the excise minister in the Congress-led government. The agency claims Lakhma received substantial monthly sums from the proceeds of the scam, which involved various illegal activities, including bribery and unaccounted liquor sales.
छत्तीसगढ़ के शराब घोटाले में भूपेश सरकार में मंत्री रहे कवासी लखमा को ED ने गिरफ्तार कर लिया है। @gyanendrat1 pic.twitter.com/AVmivvR5e5
— Ravi Miri (Vistaar News) (@Ravimiri1) January 15, 2025
The ED’s investigation revealed that illegal commissions were paid to distillers for each case of liquor procured by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL). Additionally, the sale of "kacha off-the-books" liquor, which was not reported to the state exchequer, became a significant source of illegal profit for the cartel. The bribes were also used to facilitate a cartel among distillers, fixing their market shares and manipulating liquor distribution.
The ED carried out extensive raids at multiple locations in Raipur, Dhamtari, and Sukma districts, targeting the homes of Lakhma and his close associates, including his son, Harish Lakhma. The search resulted in the discovery of key evidence, including digital devices with incriminating records, showing that Lakhma had misused the proceeds of the crime.
Following the raids, the ED issued an attachment order of Rs 205 crore and arrested five individuals involved in the scam. The special PMLA court in Raipur has already taken cognizance of the case, and further charge sheets are expected as investigations continue.
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