Raipur: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Ramgopal Agrawal, former treasurer of the Chhattisgarh Pradesh Congress Committee, in connection with its money-laundering probe into the alleged ₹3,000-crore liquor scam in the state.

Agrawal was arrested on August 11 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency alleges that a liquor syndicate generated illegal proceeds through irregularities in the state’s liquor trade and that part of the alleged cash proceeds was delivered to Agrawal at the then Congress office, Rajiv Bhawan, in Raipur.

ED, Raipur Zonal Office, has arrested Ramgopal Agrawal under PMLA, 2002, in the case relating to the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam. Ramgopal Agrawal, who was lodged as an undertrial in the Central Jail, Raipur, was arrested on 11.08.2026 and was produced before the Hon’ble Special… pic.twitter.com/W7vmwUNW9N

— ED (@dir_ed) August 12, 2026

What is the alleged liquor scam?

The ED has alleged that the suspected syndicate operated through multiple channels, including commissions on liquor sales, unaccounted country liquor and payments linked to liquor manufacturers and licences. The agency estimates the alleged illegal proceeds at around ₹3,000 crore.

The wider probe covers alleged irregularities in Chhattisgarh’s excise system during the 2019–2023 period and has previously involved several politicians, officials and business figures.

The agency has also attached properties allegedly connected with the case. Reports said the properties had a deed value of about ₹200 crore, while their estimated market value exceeded ₹1,000 crore.

Congress-BJP political clash

Agrawal’s arrest is likely to sharpen the political confrontation between the BJP and Congress in Chhattisgarh. Congress leaders have previously questioned the actions of central investigative agencies, while the ED has maintained that its probe is based on evidence gathered during the investigation.

The ED’s latest action is aimed at tracing the alleged money trail and establishing the role of individuals suspected of benefiting from the liquor network.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny, and guilt can only be established through due process of law.