Taking major action in the much talked about liquor scam of Chhattisgarh, ED has arrested Soumya Chaurasia on 16 December 2025. Chaitanya Baghel, son of former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, has already been arrested in this case.
Raipur zonal team of ED arrested Soumya Chaurasia under PMLA. After his arrest, he was presented in the special PMLA court. From where he was sent on ED remand for three days.
Chhattisgarh government has suffered a big loss due to this scam.
This investigation was started on the basis of FIR registered by ACB/EOW Raipur. Initial investigation revealed that the Chhattisgarh government suffered huge losses due to this liquor scam. According to the investigating agencies, illegal earnings of more than Rs 2500 crore were made from this entire game, which was laundered in different ways.
ED investigation has also revealed that Soumya Chaurasia had received illegal amount of about Rs 115.5 crore. The digital evidence available with the agency, seized documents and statements of witnesses show that she was an active member of the liquor syndicate.
Soumya Chaurasia was an important link
Investigation has revealed that Soumya Chaurasia was an important link in this entire network. She used to coordinate between the big accused related to this scam, especially Anil Tuteja and Chaitanya Baghel.
According to ED, his role in collecting illegal money and moving it around was very important. Chats and digital records obtained by ED have also revealed that Soumya Chaurasia played a role in the initial planning of the liquor syndicate. It is alleged that he helped in appointing officers like Arun Pati Tripathi and Niranjan Das to important positions in the Excise Department, which made it easier to carry out the scam.
Many major arrests have been made in this case
Before this, ED has made many big arrests in this case. Those arrested include former IAS Anil Tuteja, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, ITS officer Arun Pati Tripathi, then Excise Minister and MLA Kawasi Lakhma and former Chief Minister’s son Chaitanya Baghel.
At present, ED is investigating this entire liquor scam in depth. The agency says that there may be bigger revelations in this matter in the coming days.
