Allegations of massive financial irregularities and fraud in the land acquisition process for the prestigious 'Bharatmala Pariyojana' road infrastructure development in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur division have sent shockwaves across political and administrative circles. Severe charges of corruption related to the distribution of compensation money for land acquired for highway construction have now directly implicated several revenue officials. To ensure an impartial and thorough probe into these allegations, the state administration has ordered the constitution of dedicated district-level inquiry committees.
EOW/ACB Registers Criminal Case Under Anti-Corruption Laws
Taking strong punitive action, the State Economic Offences Wing and Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB) based in Raipur has formally registered a criminal case regarding the compensation scam. Law enforcement authorities initiated legal proceedings by invoking Section 7(C) of the Prevention of Corruption Act along with Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery of valuable security), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using a forged document as genuine), and 120B (criminal conspiracy).
Probe Expands Across Four Districts of Bilaspur Division
The scope of this extensive investigation covers four major districts within the Bilaspur division, namely Bilaspur, Korba, Janjgir-Champa, and Raigarh. Following official communications dispatched by the EOW/ACB on 06 August and 24 August 2026, law enforcement officials have commenced a detailed review of all registered complaints and land acquisition records across these four districts.
Cross-District Audits Implemented to Prevent Local Collusion
A novel administrative framework has been established to ensure complete independence and prevent local bias from compromising the investigation. While revenue department officers and field staff have been appointed to the inquiry committees, officials will not be allowed to inspect cases within their home jurisdiction. Instead, revenue personnel from one district will be assigned to examine files concerning land acquisition, property mutation (namantarana), and compensation disbursements in another district.
Panic in Revenue Department as Files Under Scrutiny
This cross-inspection system effectively eliminates the possibility of local collusion, mutual protection, or undue influence among district officials. The implementation of this swap model has generated widespread panic throughout the revenue administration in Bilaspur division. Archives of previously shelved files are being reopened and meticulously audited, paving the way for strict legal and administrative action against influential figures in the coming days.
