In a major crackdown on financial irregularities, authorities in Chhattisgarh have arrested seven individuals, including top executives of private firms, in connection with an alleged “overtime payment” scam linked to the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited. The arrests were made by the Anti-Corruption Bureau and Economic Offences Wing (ACB/EOW), which is probing large-scale misuse of government funds during the previous regime.

The case traces back to an earlier seizure of ₹28.8 lakh in cash by the Enforcement Directorate in Raipur in November 2023. Based on inputs shared by the central agency, a formal FIR was registered, triggering a deeper investigation into suspected corruption in the state-run liquor distribution system.

Among those arrested are directors and senior officials from multiple manpower and outsourcing firms, including Alert Commandos Pvt Ltd, Prime One Workforce Pvt Ltd, and A-to-Z Infraservices Ltd. Investigators allege that these firms colluded to generate fake overtime bills without maintaining proper attendance or work records, thereby siphoning off public money.

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Preliminary findings suggest that between 2019 and 2024, nearly ₹115 crore was disbursed under the guise of overtime payments. Instead of reaching employees, a significant portion of these funds was allegedly diverted as illegal commissions to officials and retained by the companies through inflated and fraudulent billing practices.

All accused have been presented before a special court, which has granted custodial remand till May 11 to facilitate further questioning. Officials say the probe will now focus on identifying additional beneficiaries, tracing the money trail, and uncovering the full scale of what appears to be a well-organised financial fraud impacting the state exchequer.

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