ED arrests former Chhattisgarh CM's OSD in CGPSC exam money laundering case

The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Chetan Borghariya, who served as Officer on Special Duty in the office of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, in connection with a money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the CGPSC State Service Examinations of 2020 and 2021.

Borghariya, at present posted as Additional Collector, Balrampur-Ramanujganj, was taken into custody on September 11 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. He has been remanded to the agency's custody for six days from the date of arrest.

The ED's probe stems from an FIR registered in February 2024 by the Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Raipur, alleging large-scale corruption and manipulation in the examinations conducted by the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission. The case was later taken over by the CBI, which registered an FIR against Taman Singh Sonwani, then chairman of the CGPSC, and others, and filed charge sheets.

According to the ED, its investigation found that three men — Utkarsh Chandrakar, Anil Chandrakar and Dr Vikash Chandrakar — allegedly collected illegal gratification exceeding Rs 3 crore from candidates of the 2021 examination, promising question papers in advance and selection through their purported access and influence in the then chief minister's office. The name and official position of Borghariya were allegedly used to lend weight to these assurances. Utkarsh Chandrakar is a nephew of KK Chandravanshi, who was a Personal Assistant to Baghel during his tenure as chief minister.

The agency said leaked question papers were allegedly provided to certain candidates before the examinations. Candidates were assembled at Siddhi Vinayak Marriage Palace in Raipur ahead of the Preliminary Examination, where the leaked paper was allegedly distributed, and were later accommodated at Barnawapara Sanctuary Resort, where coaching based on leaked Mains Examination papers was allegedly imparted.

A financial investigation revealed cash deposits totalling Rs 66.64 lakh through 170 transactions in Borghariya's bank account during the relevant period, along with multiple transactions between him and Utkarsh Chandrakar, the ED said. Searches at Borghariya's premises on September 1 led to the seizure of digital devices, including mobile phones. Forensic examination of the devices showed communications between Borghariya and Utkarsh Chandrakar relating to financial transactions and demands for return or payment of money, the agency said, adding that transactions involving M/s Figurecave E-Com (OPC) Private Limited are suspected to have been used for layering and movement of funds.

The ED said evidence gathered during the investigation, including digital records, banking transactions and statements recorded under the PMLA, pointed to Borghariya's involvement in activities connected with proceeds of crime, including their acquisition, possession, concealment and use.