The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Chhattisgarh civil services official Chetan Borghariya in a money laundering investigation linked to alleged irregularities in the 2020 and 2021 CGPSC examinations. A special court in Raipur subsequently remanded him to six days of ED custody, according to the agency’s statement. The investigation originated from an Economic Offences Wing case concerning alleged corruption and examination manipulation and was later taken up by the CBI. ED investigators are examining alleged payments to candidates and the flow of suspected illicit funds.
Chetan Borghariya Arrested in CGPSC Money Laundering Case as ED Expands Probe
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday arrested Chhattisgarh civil services official Chetan Borghariya in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in the CGPSC exams of 2020 and 2021.
The Enforcement Directorate on Monday arrested Chhattisgarh official Chetan Borghariya in connection with the CGPSC money laundering case, taking the number of arrests in the matter to 11, an agency statement said.
Another collector in Balrampur-Ramanujganj district, Borghariya, used to be an officer on special duty in the chief minister’s office.
According to the probe’s details, he was the OSD during the previous Congress government led by former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh Bhupesh Baghel.
After his arrest, Borghariya was produced before a special court in Raipur, which handed him over to the Enforcement Directorate for six days’ custody.
The investigation into money laundering was initiated following a case registered by the Economic Offences Wing of Chhattisgarh, relating to allegations of corruption and manipulation in recruitment examinations.
CGPSC examination probe and alleged bribery network
Later, the investigation was handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Economic Offences Wing, which filed a chargesheet against former CGPSC chairman Taman Singh Sonwani and others.
Suspects Utkarsh Chandrakar, Anil Chandrakar and Vikash Chandrakar allegedly took over ₹3 crore from candidates, the Enforcement Directorate said.
The agency had alleged that the money was taken after candidates were promised access to question papers before the 2021 Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission examination.
The investigators also alleged that the candidates paid money collected from a marriage hall in Raipur before the preliminary examination to get the question papers leaked.
The candidates were allegedly taken to a resort near Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary for coaching on the basis of the leaked examination material before the main examination.
The allegations form part of a broader investigation into suspected exam rigging, with multiple agencies probing the flow of money and the alleged beneficiaries.
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ED alleges ₹66.74 lakh in Borghariya account
The Enforcement Directorate said its financial investigation found deposits of Rs 66.74 lakh in cash through 170 transactions in Borghariya’s bank account during the relevant period.
The agency said investigators also traced the money trail to direct financial transactions between Borghariya and key suspect Utkarsh Chandrakar.
Forensic analysis of digital devices seized has revealed communications between Borghariya and Chandrakar on financial transactions and demands for return or payment of money, the Enforcement Directorate said.
The agency said the proceeds of the suspected crime were allegedly layered and moved through a private company, Figurecave E-Com (OPC) Pvt Ltd.
The agency’s allegations are subject to judicial review and the arrest does not automatically establish the guilt of Borghariya or any other accused.
The investigation is likely to focus on identifying the source and flow of funds, the alleged examination-related transactions, and the role of the persons named in earlier probes.
Investigation moves toward financial trail
The latest arrest is an addition to the CGPSC investigation, which has seen involvement of the Economic Offences Wing, Central Bureau of Investigation, and Enforcement Directorate.
For readers of Sprouts News, the case underscores how an investigation into cheating on an exam can morph into a separate investigation into financial improprieties when agencies uncover suspected proceeds of crime.
Borghariya’s custody with the Enforcement Directorate is expected to provide investigators the opportunity to question him on alleged deals, communications and connections with other suspects.
The authorities are still probing the alleged irregularities in the CGPSC examination, and further developments will depend upon the probe, court proceedings and evidence submitted by the enforcement agencies.
