Several IAS officers face suspension, prosecution in ED-linked cases: Govt

Raipur: The Chhattisgarh govt has initiated action including prosecution, suspension and departmental proceedings against five officers of the Indian Administrative Services and two prominent officers of the Chhattisgarh State Administrative Services following recommendations of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Replying to a question by BJP MLA Rajesh Munat in the state assembly on Monday, chief minister Vishnu Deo Sai said ED inputs are examined under service rules and criminal law, with final action taken strictly as per due process and court directions.Munat had sought to know what action the ED had taken during the calendar years 2023, 2024 and 2025 against IAS, IPS, IRS and state administrative service officers posted in Chhattisgarh and whether such information was shared with the state govt, and what follow-up action was initiated under the applicable service rules. The MLA also sought details of officers currently in judicial custody or released on bail in ED-related cases.CM said that on receipt of information from the ED, the state govt examined each case under relevant service rules and provisions of criminal law. Wherever required, action was initiated, including suspension of officers, grant of sanction for prosecution and initiation of departmental proceedings.Reply specifically referred to senior IAS officers Anil Tuteja, then joint secretary in the commerce and industries department and Sameer Vishnoi, former director of geology and mining against whom sanction for prosecution has been accorded and were booked. Another retired IAS officer Niranjan Das, former excise commissioner and secretary, has been prosecuted under the Prevention of Corruption Act in cases arising from ED investigations. The govt further informed the House that state administrative service officer Bharosa Ram Thakur, former collector, has been suspended and granted prosecution sanction, and is presently on bail. In respect of other officers from departments such as mining, excise and general administration, the state govt has either suspended them, permitted filing of charge-sheets in competent courts, or allowed departmental inquiries to proceed. The reply also mentioned that IAS officer J P Mourya, former director of land and mining operations, former Korba district collector Ranu Sahu, and Soumya Chourasiya, former deputy secretary in CM's Office.