The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has apprehended Ramgopal Agrawal, a leader from the Congress party in Chhattisgarh, as part of its investigation into a money laundering case related to an alleged liquor scam in the state. This action, reported on August 11, 2026, follows a series of interrogations conducted by the agency. The arrest represents a significant development in the ED’s continuous efforts to probe financial irregularities associated with the scandal.

Agrawal’s arrest comes nearly two months after the ED disposed of assets valued at over Rs 1,000 crore linked to the case. This asset attachment followed three Provisional Attachment Orders (PAOs) issued on May 28, 2026, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. These orders targeted properties with a deed value around Rs 200 crore and an estimated market value that surpasses Rs 1,000 crore.

The investigation is rooted in a First Information Report (FIR) lodged by the Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) in Raipur. The ED has revealed that the alleged liquor syndicate, reportedly headed by businessman Anwar Dhebar and former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, manipulated Chhattisgarh’s excise system between 2019 and 2023.

Details of the Allegations and Financial Irregularities

The ED asserts that the operations of the syndicate generated criminal proceeds exceeding Rs 2,883 crore. This figure stemmed from inflated liquor procurement rates, unlawful production of unaccounted liquor, and commissions extracted through FL-10A licences granted to certain companies. The agency alleges that Agrawal played a pivotal role as a financial handler, gathering commissions from distilleries and licence holders while channelling these funds to Dhebar.

Additionally, properties owned by Agrawal’s relatives have reportedly been seized, deemed equivalent to his alleged illegal earnings. The inquiry has also highlighted several benami properties linked to Dhebar, including real estate holdings in Dhebar City Homes in Raipur and various land parcels owned through shell companies such as Shining Star Buildcon and Moonlight Real Estate. The total worth of these attached properties stands at approximately Rs 30 crore.

Another significant asset in focus is the Hotel Westinn Goa, situated in Anjuna, North Goa. The ED claims this property was procured using illicit proceeds amounting to around Rs 110 crore, allegedly paid in unaccounted cash sourced from the liquor scam, with transactions reportedly facilitated by Chaitanya Baghel.

Further Developments and Legal Proceedings

In addition to asset attachments, the ED has filed its sixth supplementary prosecution complaint with a special PMLA court in Raipur, naming four new suspects: Vijay Bhatia, T Bhuneshwar Rao, Probir Sharma, and Nikhil Chandrakar. Investigators allege that Bhatia held a benami share of 52.5 per cent in Om Sai Beverages under duress, while Sharma has reportedly been implicated in the physical transport of substantial sums of cash linked to the scam.

As the investigation unfolds, the ED continues to pursue all leads relating to the alleged liquor syndicate. The agency’s efforts further illustrate its commitment to combating financial corruption and ensuring accountability in cases involving public officials and private entities alike.

The developments surrounding this case highlight the ongoing challenges faced in addressing corruption within the state’s governance structures, while also shedding light on the intricate financial webs allegedly woven by those in power.

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