Raipur, Aug 11 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has arrested Chhattisgarh Congress leader Ramgopal Agrawal in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the alleged liquor scam in the state, officials said on Tuesday.

The Central agency will produce him before a local court here seeking his remand for custodial interrogation, they said.

Officials said Agrawal, a former treasurer of the party, has been taken into custody under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

According to the Enforcement Directorate, the alleged liquor scam was orchestrated between 2019 and 2022 when Chhattisgarh was ruled by a Congress government led by then Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel.

The agency alleged that a "criminal" syndicate, involving senior bureaucrats and political figures, had "completely hijacked" the Chhattisgarh excise department, resulting in a "massive loss" to the state exchequer to the tune of Rs 2,883 crore.

So far, the agency has filed six chargesheets and named 81 accused, including Bhupesh Baghel's son Chaitanya Baghel, former Chhattisgarh Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das, former Joint Secretary Anil Tuteja, former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma and former Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister's Office Saumya Chaurasia, among others. PTI NES RUK RUK