The Chhattisgarh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and Economic Offences Wing (EOW) on Thursday launched a series of raids at more than a dozen locations across the state in connection with the alleged misappropriation of ₹7 crore meant for tendu leaf collectors in Sukma district. The raids follow a formal case registered by the EOW on April 8.
One of the major seizures was made at the residence of Rajshekhar Puranik, an employee at the Divisional Forest Officer’s (DFO) office in Sukma, where officials recovered ₹26.63 lakh in cash. In addition, mobile phones, electronic devices, bank documents, and records of investments were confiscated during the operation.
The searches extended to the premises of former Communist Party of India (CPI) MLA and tribal leader Manish Kunjam, along with managers of various Primary Minor Forest Produce Committees. The raids are part of a broader probe into systemic corruption within the forest department, where senior officials allegedly collaborated to siphon off funds earmarked for tribal workers engaged in tendu leaf collection.
According to investigators, Ashok Kumar Patel, the former DFO of Sukma, is the principal accused in the case. Patel is suspected of working in collusion with other forest officials and local committee members to embezzle government funds. He has been suspended from his post, and a separate case related to disproportionate assets has also been filed against him. Raids were previously conducted at his residences as part of that investigation.
Sources in the ACB said that some of the misappropriated funds were allegedly distributed to private individuals. “We are now examining the seized documents and digital evidence to trace the full extent of the money trail,” said an official.
Legal proceedings are ongoing, and further action is expected in the coming days as authorities dig deeper into the financial irregularities that have potentially impacted thousands of forest produce collectors in the region.
Sources By Agencies