The Chhattisgarh anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has registered two cases of cheating and forgery against a couple of ministers of the previous Bhupesh Baghel government and others in connection with the alleged coal levy and liquor scams being probed by the Directorate of Enforcement.
Both the FIRs were registered on January 17 based on information shared by the ED that is probing the money laundering angle in these alleged scams. Besides ex-ministers Amarjeet Bhagat and Kawasi Lakhma, the FIRs -- registered under the provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Indian Penal Code, 1860 -- include the names of several Congress leaders from Chhattisgarh, bureaucrats, other government officials and businessmen.
The central agency’s counsel, Saurabh Kumar Pande, told The Hindu that the agency had recommended registration of FIRs last year but the State police acted only after a change of regime in Raipur. On the other hand, former CM Mr. Baghel described the development as a ploy to influence the outcome of the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. \
