The Enforcement Directorate’s Raipur Zonal Office (ED-RPZO) has seized unaccounted cash exceeding Rs 1 crore during coordinated search and seizure operations conducted at nine locations across Chhattisgarh in connection with the multi-crore District Mineral Foundation (DMF) scam, knowledgeable sources familiar with the investigation told ‘The Hitavada’ on Tuesday night. The searches, which concluded late Tuesday night, covered nine locations across Raipur, Dhamtari, Durg, Korba and Ambikapur districts. Sources said the operation targeted four residential premises and five business or office establishments linked to persons and entities under the scanner. A substantial portion of the cash recovery was reportedly made from premises located in Korba and Dhamtari districts. The searches were conducted at premises linked to businessman Prakash Salunke, Kishore Agro-associated businessman Shashwat Lunawat, Monsoon Agro promoter Rajesh Gupta and businessman Dipesh Gandhi, among others. Multiple ED teams simultaneously fanned out across the five districts, examining financial records, banking transactions, property documents and digital evidence. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troopers accompanied the search teams throughout the operation. Sources familiar with the investigation said the agency recovered extensive documentary and digital evidence allegedly pointing to movement of proceeds of crime generated through illegal gratification linked to the DMF fund.

 

Investigators reportedly unearthed substantial bank-to-bank transaction trails, voluminous documentary records and electronic evidence that are now being subjected to detailed forensic examination. Knowledgeable sources indicated that the evidence recovered during the searches could pave the way for further action, including possible arrests of individuals allegedly linked to the money laundering network. Investigators are currently analysing financial transactions, beneficiary linkages and fund flows to establish the full extent of the alleged conspiracy. The DMF scam under investigation is alleged to involve more than Rs 575 crore. According to investigators, funds earmarked for welfare and development of mining-affected communities were allegedly diverted through a network of contractors, suppliers and intermediaries. The probe agencies suspect that kickbacks ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent were allegedly paid for securing government contracts and project approvals. Investigators are also examining allegations that contractors and vendors paid substantial bribes to obtain tenders or inflated work orders. Funds meant for local development projects were allegedly routed through entities including the Chhattisgarh State Beej Nigam and certain non-governmental organisations to siphon public money. The ED-RPZOe and the State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) have previously named several prominent individuals in the case, including former Korba Collector Ranu Sahu, former Deputy Secretary Saumya Chaurasia and alleged intermediary Suryakant Tiwari.

 

The ED has conducted multiple search operations in the DMF case across Chhattisgarh during 2024 and 2025, resulting in seizure of substantial amounts of unaccounted cash and attachment of properties valued at over Rs 21.47 crore. No official statement detailing the recoveries made during Tuesday’s searches had been issued by the agency till the filing of this report.