The CBI has taken over the investigation into a multi-crore corruption case related to the Nagrik Apurti Nigam (NAN) scam in Chhattisgarh, involving two retired IAS officers and the state’s former advocate general. On Saturday, the CBI announced the registration of a case against the three individuals—Anil Tuteja, Alok Shukla, and Satish Chandra Verma.
The agency conducted searches at the homes of Tuteja and Shukla in Raipur on Friday, recovering "incriminating" documents.
Both Tuteja and Shukla, along with Verma, who served as the advocate general during the previous Congress government, are accused of manipulating the investigation and trial processes of the NAN scam cases, which were also filed against them.
The NAN scam involves irregularities in the functioning of Chhattisgarh's agency for procuring and distributing food grains under the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The scam came to light in 2015 when the Economic Offence Wing (EOW) of the Chhattisgarh police filed an FIR against Tuteja, Shukla, Verma, and others involved in obstructing the investigation and trial. Following this, the state government requested a CBI probe.
The CBI now has control of the case, having registered a fresh case based on the FIR filed by the EOW. According to the CBI, Tuteja and Shukla allegedly misused their official positions to influence legal proceedings related to the NAN scam, including cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and EOW.
They are accused of using digital evidence to try to derail the investigation, including making false claims and manipulating documents to interfere with court processes.
The former bureaucrats allegedly provided improper benefits to Verma to encourage him to act in their favour, including securing anticipatory bail for them in the cases under investigation by the ED and EOW.
The CBI claims that the two former IAS officers interfered in the legal proceedings in the Raipur court and even attempted to frustrate the ED’s efforts. They also allegedly worked closely with key officials from the Chhattisgarh government to influence ongoing trials.
The investigation reveals that Tuteja and Shukla, influential officers within the Bhupesh Baghel-led government from 2018 to 2023, were deeply involved in the operations of the government, policymaking, and other administrative tasks. This influence, according to the CBI, enabled them to obstruct justice in the NAN case.
The scam was initially exposed in February 2015 when the ACB/EOW raided 25 premises of the Civil Supplies Corporation (NAN), seizing unaccounted cash and finding substandard rice and salt meant for distribution.
This led to the filing of cases against 18 people, including Tuteja and Shukla. In 2019, the ED registered a money laundering case based on the FIR and chargesheet filed by the EOW. Tuteja was arrested by the ED last year in connection with the Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam in Chhattisgarh.
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