ED Arrests Ex-Chhattisgarh Minister Kawasi Lakhma in Liquor Scam Case

Photo: Instagram/@kawasilakhmainc

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Chhattisgarh Congress MLA and former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma in connection with an alleged liquor scam. The arrest took place on Wednesday and is linked to irregularities that reportedly occurred during his tenure as excise minister.

The ED had previously raided the homes of Kawasi Lakhma and his son, Harish Lakhma, on December 28 in Raipur, Sukma, and Dhamtari districts as part of a money laundering investigation. During the probe, both Lakhma and his son were questioned, leading to Lakhma’s eventual arrest. On Wednesday, he was summoned to the ED office in Pachpedi Naka, Raipur, for further questioning and was taken into custody. He was later presented in court after a medical examination.

Lakhma, while speaking to reporters before entering the courtroom, denied the allegations. He stated that no documents or money were found during the raids and claimed he was being falsely accused. Lakhma alleged that the action against him was politically motivated, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai of targeting him to suppress the voices of tribal communities in the Bastar region. He further claimed that his arrest was timed to keep him away from the upcoming panchayat elections.

Senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel condemned the arrest, calling it an act of political vendetta. He accused the ED of working under pressure from the BJP-led central government to tarnish the image of Congress leaders ahead of elections. Baghel emphasized that the Congress party stood firmly with Kawasi Lakhma during this time.

The ED, in its statement, alleged that Lakhma was a major recipient of illegal cash generated through the liquor scam during his tenure as excise minister. The agency claimed he received large sums of money every month from the scam, which took place between 2019 and 2022, under the Bhupesh Baghel-led Congress government.

The ED further stated that the liquor scam caused significant financial losses to the Chhattisgarh government, amounting to over ₹2,100 crore. This money was allegedly pocketed by members of a liquor syndicate, depriving the state of crucial revenue.

Kawasi Lakhma, a six-time MLA from the Konta constituency in Sukma district, is a prominent tribal leader in Chhattisgarh. His arrest has sparked a political controversy, with elections approaching in the state.

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