THE bail plea of Soumya Chaurasia, a key accused in the Rs 600 crore coal mining transportation scam in Chhattisgarh, has been turned down by the special court in Raipur. The Special Enforcement Directorate (ED) Court of Raipur delivered its verdict on Tuesday, rejecting the second bail plea of the accused, Soumya. Soumya Chaurasia, a suspended Deputy Secretary to the former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, has been incarcerated in Raipur Central Jail for the past 16 months. Besides the coal scam in which Soumya Chourasia has been accused, another FIR has been filed against her in connection with the Rs 2,200 crore liquor scam, being investigated by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW). Sources indicate that legal proceedings are underway against Soumya Chaurasia and her associates regarding the newly filed cases.

 

During her tenure, Soumya Chaurasia, belonging to the State Administrative Service cadre, wielded significant influence, earning her the moniker of ‘Super CM’ in the erstwhile Bhupesh Baghel government. However, she allegedly abused her authority, resulting in several scandals and misuse of power. Her actions have come under scrutiny in the ongoing investigations by both the ED and EOW, with substantial evidence reportedly surfacing against her.

 

The agencies have compiled a charge sheet based on their findings and have submitted it to the court. Soumya Chaurasia’s alleged involvement in various and scams, reportedly with political patronage, has also drawn attention to the previous regimes few influential people potentially getting them implicated in the cases. Soumya Chaurasia was arrested by the ED on December 2, 2022, and has since remained in judicial custody. The hearing on her second bail application took place on April 12, after which the special ED court reserved its decision. On Tuesday, the court has ruled against granting bail to the accused. Advocate Kailash Bhaduri represented Soumya Chaurasia in court, arguing for bail on the grounds of her responsibilities towards her twin children. Conversely, Special Public Prosecutor Saurabh Pandey presented the government’s case opposing the bail plea.