COAL LEVY CASESEOIACB files 1,000-pagechargesheet against Kosle

 

 

 

THE State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) on Monday filed a voluminous chargesheet running into nearly 1,000 pages against Jaichand Kosle in the illegal coal levy extortion case registered as Crime No. 03/2024. The chargesheet has been sub mitted before the Special Court under the Prevention of Corruption Act in Raipur, invoking multiple provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, as amended by the 2018 Act. According to the prosecution, Kosle has been charge sheeted under Sections 120B, 420, 384, 467, 468 and 471 of the IPC, along with Sections 7, 7A and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

 

He is currently lodged in Central Jail, Raipur. Investigators have identified him as a crucial operational link in the coal levy racket, functioning as a principal receiver and intermediary for large volumes of illegally collected cash. SEOIACB officials stated that Jaichand Kosle, also known as ‘Jai,’ served as a personal assistant in the then Chief Minister’s Secretariat under Saumya Chaurasia and worked directly under her instructions. The agency claims Kosle played a pivotal role in physically receiving cash generated from illegal coal levy col lections and ensuring its onward transfer.

 

A seized diary containing multiple entries marked under the name ‘Jai’ has been cited as documentary evidence establishing his role in handling and routing illicit funds. The investigation has revealed that Kosle routinely collected cash from the residence of prime accused Suryakant Tiwari and other locations linked to the levy operation. The amounts were allegedly handed over either to Manish Upadhyay or to persons identified by Saumya Chaurasia. SEOIACB has estimated that approximately Rs 7-8 crore was received and channelled by Kosle on Chaurasia’s behalf during the relevant period. In addition to physical records, the agency has relied extensively on digital evidence.

 

 

Mobile phone data extract ed from Suryakant Tiwari and other accused allegedly contains detailed accounts of levy collections, including real time entries maintained through dedicated WhatsApp groups. Multiple references to “Jai” in these digital records have been cited to corroborate Kosle’s involvement. Investigators have also pointed to recovered chats between Anil Tuteja and Saumya Chaurasia, which allegedly establish Kosle’s role in discreetly delivering confidential files and documents on Chaurasia’s directions. SEOIACB has further alleged that Kosle not only acted as a receiver and conduit of illegal funds but also retained a portion of the proceeds for personal gain.

 

The agency claims parts of the illicit money were invested in properties purchased in his name and in the names of family members. Verification and valuation of these assets are currently under way. With the present filing, chargesheets have now been sub mitted against 20 accused in the coal levy case, while investigation against other suspected individuals continues. “The probe remains active and evidence is being examined against all remaining suspects. Financial trails, asset acquisitions and digital records are under verification, and further legal action will follow wherever culpability is established,” a senior official of the state’s anti-graft agency told The Hitavada on condition of anonymity.