The special court is set to make a decision today regarding the transfer of Suryakant Tripathi, an accused in the high-profile Chhattisgarh coal levy scam, to a different jail. The jail administration has requested Tripathi’s transfer to Ambikapur jail, citing his disruptive behavior and lack of cooperation. This comes after the court ordered the transfer of all accused in the excise, coal, and custom milling cases within the state’s various jails. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached over 100 movable and immovable properties worth Rs 49.73 crore belonging to Suryakant Tiwari and others involved in the case, including bank balances, vehicles, cash, jewelry, and land. The ED’s investigation revealed an illegal levy of Rs 25 per ton on coal transported between July 2020 and June 2022, orchestrated by individuals in collusion with senior politicians and bureaucrats. The funds were allegedly used for bribes and election expenses, with the scam involving a total recovery of Rs 570 crore.
