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In a significant development in the high-profile Chhattisgarh liquor scam case, Saumya Chaurasia, the former Deputy Secretary to the Chief Minister, and KK Srivastava have been released from jail on bail. Their release follows the submission of a massive supplementary chargesheet by the state's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in a special court in Raipur.
Release Condition Met: EOW Files 1500-Page Supplementary Chargesheet
The Chhattisgarh High Court had previously granted bail to Saumya Chaurasia, but with a specific rider: her release was contingent upon the filing of the formal chargesheet (challan) by the investigating agency. On Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the EOW fulfilled this condition by presenting an 8th supplementary chargesheet spanning nearly 1,500 pages. This document details the alleged roles of Chaurasia, Srivastava, and Devendra Dadsera in the multi-crore scam.
Allegations of a ₹2,000 Crore Syndicate
The case, which is being investigated by both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the EOW, pertains to an alleged criminal syndicate that operated during the previous administration. According to investigators:
Illegal Commissions: The syndicate allegedly collected unauthorized commissions from liquor distillers.
Parallel Sales: Unaccounted liquor was reportedly sold through government-run shops, bypassing the state exchequer.
Political Influence: Prosecutors argue that Chaurasia used her influential position in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to facilitate these operations between 2019 and 2023.
Bail Granted on Principle of Parity and Prolonged Custody
While granting bail, the High Court observed that the investigation against the applicants was substantially complete. The court also cited the "Principle of Parity," noting that several other primary accused in the case had already been granted relief. Furthermore, the bench pointed out that since the trial is likely to take considerable time, keeping the accused in pre-trial detention indefinitely would not be justifiable.
Strict Conditions Imposed for Release
Despite their release, the court has placed strict conditions on Chaurasia and Srivastava to ensure they do not hinder the ongoing legal process. They are required to:
Surrender Passports: To prevent any travel outside the country.
Mandatory Attendance: Appear at every court hearing without fail.
No Evidence Tampering: Refrain from contacting any witnesses or attempting to influence the evidence.
