NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday launched countrywide raids at 13 locations, including that of residence and offices of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s brother Agrasen Gehlot in Jodhpur and Jaipur, in connection with a case pertaining to a fertiliser scam.
It is alleged that Anupam Krishi, a company owned by Agrasen Gehlot, diverted and siphoned off some ingredients used in making of fertiliser and the Customs department has levied a penalty of Rs 7 crore for alleged violations of rules in exports too.
Incidentally, the ED action came a day after the CBI questioned Congress MLA Krishna Poonia and Deva Ram Saini, the OSD to the Chief Minister, in connection with the alleged suicide by a police officer in Churu district on May 23.
The ED conducted searches at six places in Rajasthan, four in Gujarat, two in West Bengal and one in New Delhi in connection with the fertiliser scam, sources said. A raid was also conducted at the residence of former MP Badriram Jakhar, they said.
The Opposition BJP in Rajasthan had earlier accused Agrasen Gehlot of being involved in a scam during the UPA regime and alleged that his company exported subsidised fertiliser.
The ED’s raids come at a time when the Rajasthan Congress is in crisis following simmering differences between Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot. Both sides have taken position to politically sideline each other.