Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Raipur has arrested Maya Varier and Ranu Sahu, IAS on October 15^th & October 17^th 2024 respectively. Both are prime accused in the District Mineral Fund (DMF) Scam of Chhattisgarh. They were produced before the Special Court (PMLA), Raipur on October 16^th and 17^th 2024 and court has granted their ED custody till October 22^nd 2024.

ED initiated investigation on the basis of three different FIRs registered by Chhattisgarh Police under various sections of IPC, 1860 for siphoning off of the exchequer money by DMF contractors in collusion with officials of the State Government and political executives. This case is related to corruption and misuse of funds from the District Mineral Fund in Chhattisgarh. DMF is a trust funded by miners that have been set up in all districts of Chhattisgarh with an aim to work for the benefit of those affected by mining related projects and activities.

Ranu Sahu was the then district collector of Korba, Chhattisgarh from May 2021 to June 2022 and Maya Varier, was the then Assistant Commissioner, Tribal Development Department, Korba, Chhattisgarh from August, 2021 to March, 2023. During their tenure in Korba, an organised system of collection of illegal commission from the vendors/contractors was being operated.

ED investigation revealed that the contractors have paid huge amount of commission/ illegal gratification to officials, which is to the tune of 25% to 40% of the contract value. Cash used for payment of kickbacks was generated by the vendors/contractors using accommodation entries. There is no quantification of “Proceeds of Crime” in FIRs. However, ED investigation revealed that DMF Fund allocated only to District Korba is more than Rs. 1000 Crore from its inception till FY 2022-23 and with the prevalent rate of commission, commission amount alone in Korba is to the tune of hundreds of Crore.

Earlier, ED, Raipur had carried out search operations in the case of government officers, vendors/contractors and accommodation entry providers on various locations in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra linked to DMF scam which resulted into seizure of incriminating documents, digital evidence, cash and bank balance, jewellery etc. amounting to Rs. 2.32 Crore.

Ias Ranu Sahu Maya Varier Maya Warrier District Mineral Fund Scam District Mineral Fund Dmf Ed Enforcement Directorate Ed Ed Chattisgarh Prevention Of Money Laundering Act Pmla Corruption Scam Ias Upsc Union Public Service Commission