Former Jharkhand Excise Secretary, Vinay Kumar Choubey, Arrested in Liquor Scam
Jharkhand: Vinay Kumar Choubey, a former excise secretary and IAS officer in Jharkhand, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). The arrest is in connection with an ongoing liquor scam in Jharkhand, implicating several high-ranking officials. This case has sent ripples through the state's political and administrative circles. Let's understand the details of this case in simple terms.
What is the Case About?
The case revolves around Jharkhand's new excise policy, implemented from March 31, 2022. Allegations suggest that in January 2022, former excise secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey, along with other officials, conspired with officials from Chhattisgarh to manipulate this policy. The alleged aim was to supply illicit liquor using fake holograms, causing the state massive financial losses.
Post-Arrest Developments
The Anti-Corruption Bureau team arrested Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh, the Joint Commissioner of the Excise Department. Both officials underwent extensive questioning before being remanded to custody by the court. Prior to this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had also conducted raids on their premises, seizing mobile phones and documents.
Depth of the Liquor Scam
This scam is not confined to Jharkhand; a First Information Report (FIR) has also been registered in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW) investigation revealed that several senior Chhattisgarh officials colluded with Jharkhand officials to alter the excise policy. This allegedly involved the Secretary of Chhattisgarh's Commerce and Industry Department and the Managing Director of the State Marketing Corporation.
The alleged conspiracy involved the sale of liquor with fake holograms in Jharkhand and the collection of commissions under the guise of supplying foreign liquor. A syndicate's involvement has also emerged, defrauding the Jharkhand government of substantial funds.
The case was filed based on a complaint by Vikas Singh, a resident of Argora. He alleged that officials from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand colluded to manipulate the liquor policy to favor syndicate members in awarding contracts, causing the state crores of rupees in losses.
