Supreme Court Grants Interim Bail to Ranu Sahu and Others
The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to suspended IAS officer Ranu Sahu, businessman Suryakant Tiwari, and Saumya Chaurasia, who served as the deputy secretary to former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. The bench, comprising Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh, made the decision on Monday, citing the lengthy nature of the ongoing investigation.
Justice Surya Kant stated,
“Considering the time-consuming process of the investigation and to ensure a fair probe, we find it appropriate to grant interim bail. However, if the accused are found influencing witnesses, tampering with evidence, or obstructing the investigation, the state can approach the court for cancellation of the bail.”
Arrests in the Chhattisgarh Coal Levy Scam
- Ranu Sahu, a 2010-batch IAS officer, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2023 while serving as the director of the state agriculture department.
- Saumya Chaurasia, another Chhattisgarh-cadre officer, was arrested in 2022.
- Sameer Vishnoi, another IAS officer, was the first bureaucrat arrested in the case in 2022.
What is the Chhattisgarh Coal Levy Scam?
The ED investigation has revealed a large-scale extortion scheme involving senior politicians, bureaucrats, and private individuals in Chhattisgarh. The accused allegedly collected a levy of ₹25 per tonne of coal transported between July 2020 and June 2022.
Key Findings of the Probe
- The illegal levy generated ₹540 crore, classified as Proceeds of Crime (POC).
- These funds were allegedly used for bribing government officials and politicians.
- Part of the money was spent on elections, while the rest was invested in movable and immovable properties.
Legal Actions Taken So Far
- The ED has arrested 11 individuals linked to the scam.
- The agency has filed three prosecution complaints against 26 accused persons.
- Properties worth ₹270 crore have been seized from the accused.
