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Raipur, January 15, 2025: In a significant development, Kawasi Lakhma, the six time Congress MLA from Konta and former Excise Minister in Bhupesh Baghel government, was today arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Kawasi Lakhma was today arrested for his alleged involvement in the Rs 2100 crore liquor scam, official sources said.
Lakhma was produced before a local court and the ED got remand of the former Minister for six days till January 21, 2025.
ED alleged Lakhma was the excise Minister when the liquor scam took place. He was allegedly aware of the entire scam and did nothing to check that.
However, Lakhma pleading innocence took the stand that he was illiterate and where ever officials asked him to sign, he put his signature.
Many a senior official from the Chhattisgarh government have been arrested by the central agency for their alleged role in the liquor scam.
Even people close to former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had also been picked up by the ED.
But this is for the first time a Minister in the Bhupesh Baghel led Congress government of 2018-2023 was arrested by the Central Agency.
Couple of days back the ED had conducted raids in the houses of Kawasi Lakhma and his son Harish, besides his former staff and close people.
Congress party cried foul in the arrest and said Kawasi Lakhma was arrested despite the raid yielded no money recovery.
