Former IAS Officer Alok Shukla Arrested, Granted 28-Day ED Remand

In connection with the controversial Chhattisgarh Civil Supplies Corporation scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested two former IAS officers, Alok Shukla and Anil Tuteja. A special court has authorized a 28-day ED remand for both individuals. Alok Shukla, the former Chief Secretary, surrendered at the special ED court in Raipur on Monday morning. Upon acceptance of his application by the court, the ED team took him into custody. Anil Tuteja was already in judicial custody, and the ED secured his presence through a production warrant to complete the legal arrest procedures. The ED argued in court that Alok Shukla was the chairman of the corporation and Anil Tuteja was the secretary when the scam came to light. According to the investigating agency, allegations of financial irregularities and alleged bribery amounting to crores of rupees were made during their tenure. The ED maintains that thorough questioning based on documentary evidence is necessary, which is not possible within a short period of custody. Previously, both officers had received anticipatory bail from the High Court. However, a two-member bench of the Supreme Court dismissed it, clarifying that a two-week ED custody followed by a two-week judicial custody was mandatory. The court also noted that these officers had attempted to influence the investigation that began in 2015.