ED searches premises of Cong leader Lakhma

Raipur: Enforcement Directorate on Saturday carried out searches on multiple premises of former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma and his son Harish in the alleged liquor scam case.
Kawasi's close aides in Raipur and Sukma districts were also searched.
According to sources, the searches are part of the investigation into the multi-crore ‘liquor scam'. ED teams, accompanied by a strong contingent of CRPF personnel, arrived at Lakhma's house in Dharampura locality of Raipur in the morning. In coordinated action, ED teams also conducted searches at the premises of Harish, Sukma district panchayat president, and several aides connected to the Lakhma family. Among them were Sushil Ojha, a close associate of Kawasi, in Choubey Colony of Raipur, and Sukma municipal president Raju Sahu.
Kawasi Lakhma, who was excise and industries minister in the previous Congress regime, is among the 70 named in an FIR by ED in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. Politicians and bureaucrats are among the accused. According to ED, the liquor scam involved the creation of an illegal syndicate that controlled the distribution of liquor in the state, bypassing govt regulations. Investigators claim that the entire network operated with the knowledge and support of state govt.
ED alleges that the syndicate operated under govt protection, with Lakhma receiving a monthly ‘commission' for his role in facilitating illegal liquor trade.
Anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has also filed an FIR, naming several political figures, including Lakhma, who allegedly profited from the illicit liquor business.
Raipur: Enforcement Directorate on Saturday carried out searches on multiple premises of former excise minister Kawasi Lakhma and his son Harish in the alleged liquor scam case.
Kawasi's close aides in Raipur and Sukma districts were also searched.
According to sources, the searches are part of the investigation into the multi-crore ‘liquor scam'. ED teams, accompanied by a strong contingent of CRPF personnel, arrived at Lakhma's house in Dharampura locality of Raipur in the morning. In coordinated action, ED teams also conducted searches at the premises of Harish, Sukma district panchayat president, and several aides connected to the Lakhma family. Among them were Sushil Ojha, a close associate of Kawasi, in Choubey Colony of Raipur, and Sukma municipal president Raju Sahu.
Kawasi Lakhma, who was excise and industries minister in the previous Congress regime, is among the 70 named in an FIR by ED in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. Politicians and bureaucrats are among the accused. According to ED, the liquor scam involved the creation of an illegal syndicate that controlled the distribution of liquor in the state, bypassing govt regulations. Investigators claim that the entire network operated with the knowledge and support of state govt.
ED alleges that the syndicate operated under govt protection, with Lakhma receiving a monthly ‘commission' for his role in facilitating illegal liquor trade.
Anti-corruption bureau (ACB) has also filed an FIR, naming several political figures, including Lakhma, who allegedly profited from the illicit liquor business.