Fertilizer Scam: Raid at Ashok Gehlot's brother property

New Delhi : Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's brother's property has been raided by the Enforcement Directorate over his alleged connection in a scam in exporting fertilizer. The ED conducted several raids across the nation in regards to the same case.

The raids were conducted by the central probe agency at 13 places including in Rajasthan, West Bengal, Gujarat and Delhi, news agency PTI reported.

According to ED sources, Agrasain Gehlot is suspected to have sold the fertilizers at subsidized rates to companies, who then exported it while it is banned for exports.

Indian Potash Ltd is the authorised importer of MoP and the chemical is distributed to farmers at subsidised rates.

Between 2007 and 2009, Agrasain Gehlot's firm Anupam Krishi, which was an authorised dealer of Indian Potash Ltd, bought MoP at subsidised rates and instead of distributing it to farmers, the company allegedly sold it to a few others who in turn exported it to Malaysia and Singapore in the guise of "industrial salt", investigators said.

Meanwhile, the Congress has alleged a conspiracy and posted questions on the timing of the raid.

"Prime Minister Modi has created raid raj in the country, but we are not going be scared. When the centre's gimmicks failed to topple the Congress government in Rajasthan, ED raids started on the premises of Gehlot's elder brother," Mr Surjewala said, PTI reported. "The CBI also interrogated CM's OSD (officer on special duty) and now ED raids are being conducted at CM's elder brother residence," he said.