THE State Economic Offences Investigation Bureau/Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) has filed a supplementary chargesheet against former Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) Managing Director Arun Pati Tripathi and manpower agency operator B R Lohia in an alleged Rs 182.98- crore payment scam involving Government liquor outlets. According to investigators, five agencies received Rs 182,98,48,675 between 2019 and 2023 against overtime, bonuses, four additional working days and service charges, although employees allegedly never received the corresponding benefits. The agencies were Sumit Facilities Limited, Primeone Workforce Private Limited, A-to-Z Infraservices Limited, Alert Commandos Private Limited and Eagle Hunter Solution Limited. Tripathi, who headed CSMCL from May 9, 2019, to April 16, 2023, allegedly facilitated payments worth Rs 152.40 crore during his tenure by manipulating tender conditions.

 

The bureau claims he received Rs 28-32 crore in cash commissions from agencies and channelled the money to alleged syndicate operator Anwar Dhebar. Siddharth Singhania allegedly collected monthly commissions ranging between Rs 70 lakh and Rs 80 lakh. Lohia, founder of Eagle Hunter and associated with Alert Commandos, allegedly directed inflated billing and commission payments. His two companies received Rs 48.08 crore in additional payments. Investigators also cited the Enforcement Directorate’s November 29, 2023, recovery of Rs 28.80 lakh allegedly earmarked for securing clearance of pending agency bills. The chargesheet further traces alleged angadia transfers of Rs 60-70 crore through Mumbai towards Hyderabad, besides investments through Bengaluru-based Pantheon Builders. The ED reportedly seized Rs 3 crore linked to Tripathi’s alleged proceeds. Tripathi remains in judicial custody. Lohia, reportedly abroad, has been chargesheeted in his absence, with a lookout circular issued and Interpol assistance contemplated.