On 22 September 2026, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed its first prosecution complaint in the case of alleged money laundering in public recruitment processes in Chhattisgarh. The ED has alleged that ₹45 lakh (ca. 41,000 Euros) provided as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding by Shri Bajrang Power and Ispat Ltd. was channelled through the NGO Gramin Vikas Samiti (GVS) and used to influence recruitment processes in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission (CGPSC). The agency has filed a prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against several accused, including former CGPSC Chairman Taman Singh Sonwani.
According to the ED, the funds were routed through the NGO GVS, an institution allegedly controlled by Taman Singh Sonwani, and presented as legitimate CSR funding. The agency has further alleged that proceeds generated through examination-related corruption, including manipulation of recruitment processes and question paper leaks, were laundered through both cash transactions and NGO-linked financial channels. The ED has currently quantified the alleged proceeds of crime at ₹3.28 crore (ca. 365,000 Euros). Seven individuals, including Taman Singh Sonwani, company director Shravan Goyal, former CGPSC officials, and other associates, have been named in the prosecution complaint. The case is part of a wider investigation into alleged irregularities in state civil service recruitment examinations conducted between 2020 and 2021, raising concerns regarding the misuse of charitable and CSR funding mechanisms for purposes unrelated to public welfare.
If substantiated, the allegations could undermine public trust in civil society organisations, reinforce negative perceptions regarding the management of CSR resources by NGOs, and contribute to demands for stricter regulatory oversight and compliance requirements for the wider non-profit sector. This also highlights the reputational risks faced by legitimate civil society organisations when charitable funding channels are allegedly used for unlawful purposes.