Secret codewords, WhatsApp chats and innocuous-sounding group names have emerged as key evidence in the coal and liquor scams that have rocked Chhattisgarh, revealing what investigators describe as a well-organised syndicate operating through encrypted digital communication.

Investigating agencies say the digital trail has uncovered multiple layers of power, money and influence, allegedly enabling extortion worth hundreds of crores while evading scrutiny through coded language.

‘Big Boss Group’ and coded identities

Earlier, NDTV reported that the liquor scam was allegedly run through a WhatsApp group named the “Big Boss Group”. In these chats, investigators claim, key individuals were referred to using aliases to conceal identities. The name “Bittu” was allegedly used for Chaitanya Baghel, while discussions on cash collections, liquor consignments and payments were masked using cryptic references.

Agencies believe this deliberate use of code ensured that even if conversations were intercepted, their meaning would remain obscure.

Coal levy scam followed similar pattern

The coal levy scam, investigators say, adopted a strikingly similar playbook. Multiple WhatsApp groups with names such as Pal, Durg, Weekly, Tower and Jugnu were allegedly created to track illegal collections and maintain accounts. In these chats, words like “Gira” or “In” were used as signals that money had been received.

According to the probe, the Raigarh network was managed by Navneet Tiwari, with messages used to coordinate collections and distributions across districts.

1,000-page chargesheet filed

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has filed a 1,000-page chargesheet in the coal levy case against Jaychand Kosle, private secretary to Saumya Chaurasia, who served as deputy secretary to former chief minister Bhupesh Baghel.

Investigators allege Chaurasia brought Kosle into the Chief Minister’s House specifically for collection-related work. Kosle, then a record keeper with the Raipur Municipal Corporation, was allegedly entrusted with collecting money on instructions and provided government vehicles for the task.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has cited WhatsApp messages from 2019–2020 indicating that Kosle routinely handled sensitive files and obtained signatures from the Chief Minister’s Office.

₹540 crore extortion alleged

According to the FIR, the coal syndicate allegedly extorted around ₹540 crore between 2020 and 2022 by threatening coal transporters and businessmen. Properties worth ₹222 crore have been attached so far, with over 35 accused named and more than 15 arrests made, including suspended IAS officers.

Investigators allege a double-levy system was imposed on coal trade and that manipulation of coal permits helped streamline illegal collections.