Ranu Sahu's journey is marked by her rise to notable positions and involvement in controversies. She first became a DSP in 2005, cleared the UPSC in 2010 to become a collector, and recently served a jail term. An IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, Ranu Sahu was implicated in coal scams and corruption by the ED. After spending a year in jail, she was granted bail by the Supreme Court on Monday. This has once again put her in the spotlight.
Ranu Sahu is a 2010 batch IAS officer, born in the Gariaband district of Chhattisgarh. From a young age, she showed a strong interest in academics and was regarded as one of the brightest students in her school and college. Her admiration for the police uniform fueled her dream of joining the police department. Ranu Sahu's husband, Jaiprakash Maurya, is also in the ministry.
Ranu Sahu always had a passion for the police uniform, which motivated her to start preparing for a career in law enforcement during her college days. In 2005, she achieved her goal and was selected as a DSP. She joined the position and soon after began preparing for the UPSC exam.
While working as a DSP, Ranu Sahu set her sights on clearing the UPSC exam. She dedicated herself to rigorous preparation and, in 2010, successfully passed the UPSC, becoming an IAS officer in the Chhattisgarh cadre. Her first appointment was as the Collector of Kanker district. She went on to serve as the Collector of several districts in Chhattisgarh and managed important responsibilities within the ministry.
Ranu Sahu was known for her significant influence during the Congress government. She served as the Director of the State Agriculture Department. However, her tenure was not without controversy. Her working style led to a dispute with Chhattisgarh government minister Jaisingh Agrawal, resulting in a complaint being filed against her.
What is the Coal Scam?
The coal scam came to light during the Congress government in the state. The ED claimed that several officials and businessmen were running an organised racket and were extorting Rs 25 per ton for coal transportation in Chhattisgarh. In this matter, the ED conducted extensive raids across Chhattisgarh. According to the ED, businessmen, Congress party leaders, and several senior officers were involved in the coal scam, amounting to over Rs 540 crore. It was in connection with this case that the ED arrested Ranu Sahu.
