Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation Scam: Alok Shukla and Anil Tuteja in ED Custody

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Alok Shukla and Anil Tuteja, both former IAS officers, in connection with the Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation scam. A special court has approved a 28-day ED remand for both individuals. Alok Shukla, who previously served as Chief Secretary, surrendered at the special ED court in Raipur on Monday morning. As soon as the court accepted his application, the ED team took him into custody. Anil Tuteja was already in judicial custody when the ED presented him before the court through a production warrant, completing the legal arrest procedures. The ED argued in court that Alok Shukla held the position of chairman and Anil Tuteja that of secretary during the period when the scam came to light. According to the investigation, financial irregularities and allegations of bribery, involving crores of rupees, occurred during their tenure. The ED stated that detailed questioning based on documentary evidence is crucial and cannot be conducted effectively within a short period of custody. Prior to this, both officers had been granted anticipatory bail by the High Court. However, the Supreme Court overturned this decision, ruling that they must undergo two weeks of ED custody followed by two weeks of judicial custody. The court also noted that the officers had tried to impede the investigation that started in 2015.