NEW DELHI: Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said it has arrested former Chhattisgarh CM Bhupesh Baghel’s former OSD Chetan Borghariya, who is presently additional collector of Balrampur-Ramanujganj, in the case of illegal appointments of DSPs and collectors through exam paper leaks.ED, which had earlier arrested former state public service commission (PSC) chief Taman Singh Sonwani, claimed it has traced the alleged proceeds of crime linked to bank accounts of Borghariya and other officials.Borghariya, who was arrested on Sept 11, has been remanded in six-day ED custody by a special PMLA court in Raipur. The agency is probing alleged money laundering relating to irregularities and manipulation in the CGPSC State Service Examinations, 2020 and 2021.“Investigation revealed that other accused, Utkarsh Chandrakar, Anil Chandrakar and Dr Vikash Chandrakar, allegedly collected illegal gratification exceeding Rs 3 crore from various candidates of 2021 CGPSC examination, on assurance of providing them question papers in advance and securing their selection by using their purported access and influence in the then CM’s office,” ED said.The probe further revealed that the name and official position of Chetan Borghariya, who was then posted as OSD in CM’s office, was allegedly used in connection with such assurances.“The evidence gathered during probe, including digital evidence, banking transactions and recorded statements, revealed involvement of Borghariya in processes and activities connected with the proceeds of crime, including their acquisition, possession, concealment and use,” ED alleged.According to the agency, the leaked question papers were provided to certain candidates prior to the examinations. “Candidates assembled at Siddhi Vinayak Marriage Palace, Raipur, prior to the preliminary examination, where the leaked question paper was allegedly distributed to them. Subsequently, candidates were accommodated at Barnawapara Sanctuary Resort, where coaching was allegedly imparted based on leaked papers relating to the mains examination,” ED said.ED claimed it has seized evidence related to cash deposits of Rs 66.64 lakh through 170 transactions in the bank account of Borghariya during the relevant period. Multiple financial transactions between Borghariya and Utkarsh have also been detected.
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Searches were conducted on premises of Borghariya on Sept 1, with digital devices, including mobile phones, being seized. “Investigation has also revealed financial transactions involving Figurecave E-Com (OPC) Pvt Ltd, which is suspected to have been used for the layering and movement of funds,” ED claimed.
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