Chhattisgarh EOW files 8,000-page chargesheet against ex CM's dy secretary Saumya Chaurasia; calls it biggest case of disproportionate assets

RAIPUR:

In what the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has termed the biggest disproportionate assets case in its history, the bureau on Monday filed an 8,000-page chargesheet against suspended state administrative officer Saumya Chaurasia who served as deputy secretary to former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and is now accused of amassing nearly ₹50 crore in illegal wealth — 1,872% more than her known sources of income. The chargesheet, submitted before the Special Court (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Raipur, pertains to Crime No. 22/2024 registered under Sections 13(1)(b) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018). According to a statement by Amresh Mishra, the EOW chief , "Chaurasia, a 2008-batch State Administrative Service officer, allegedly made large-scale benami investments in about 45 immovable properties registered in the names of her family members and close associates."The investigation found that Chaurasia and her family’s legitimate income over 17 years of service amounted to ₹2.51 crore, while the value of her total assets and investments stood at ₹49.69 crore, indicating a disproportion of over 1,872.86%. Officials said the assets included residential and commercial properties, land parcels, and investments across multiple districts, allegedly purchased using money obtained through corrupt means linked to coal, District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds, and other transactions.

The EOW noted that the maximum accumulation of wealth took place between 2019 and 2022, coinciding with her posting as deputy secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office.Before joining the state administrative service, Chaurasia worked as an accountant in 2005. Then she was posted as deputy collector in Bilaspur after clearing the state civil services exam in 2008. Her tenure in the Chief Minister’s Office (2019–2022) marked her rise in influence — during which, investigators claim, her assets grew exponentially through “corrupt and opaque channels, EOW statement said. According to the EOW, her family members and associates allegedly acted as benami holders, facilitating large real estate purchases and financial transfers that could not be justified by their collective income. The bureau stated that this is the biggest disproportionate assets case ever registered in Chhattisgarh, both in scale and value of property. “Evidence confirms that the officer accumulated nearly ₹50 crore in assets during her service period, far exceeding her legitimate earnings.

The bulk of these transactions were traced to the years when she held key administrative positions,” said a senior EOW official. The 8,000-page chargesheet includes bank statements, property deeds, investment papers, digital records, and statements from over 100 witnesses. Chaurasia, who has earlier been linked to the state’s coal transportation and DMF fund scams, has been under EOW and ED investigation since late 2022. Both agencies have previously seized documents and properties connected to her alleged involvement in money laundering and misuse of official position. Officials said the disproportionate assets case is distinct but complementary to ongoing corruption and money-laundering probes under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).