The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has achieved a significant breakthrough in the Jharkhand liquor scam case. The court has ordered that the iPhones and other documents seized in the scam will remain in the ED's custody.
Jharkhand Liquor Scam: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has now entered the high-profile liquor scam that unfolded in Jharkhand. Following the ED's investigation, the CBI has been entrusted with the responsibility of delving deeper into this scam. The scam involves the state's new excise policy, the role of government officials, and allegations of illicit gains through an alleged syndicate. Meanwhile, the Adjudicating Authority of the Enforcement Directorate, New Delhi, has granted the ED permission to retain the electronic devices and documents seized in this case.
Crucial Clues from ED Raids
On October 29, 2024, the ED conducted simultaneous raids on the residences and premises of several officials in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. During these raids, samples of fake holograms from Prism Company, documents related to Jharkhand's new excise policy, two iPhones, and other electronic devices were recovered. To legally validate this seizure, the ED filed a petition before the Adjudicating Authority, which has now been approved.
At the heart of the scam lies Jharkhand's new excise policy, implemented from March 31, 2022. Allegations suggest that prior to its implementation, a secret meeting took place in Raipur in January 2022 between Jharkhand's then-Excise Secretary and senior officials from Chhattisgarh. This meeting allegedly planned revisions to the policy's draft and facilitated the supply of liquor to Jharkhand by Chhattisgarh agencies.
Two Years of Dominance by Chhattisgarh Agencies
For nearly two years after the policy's implementation, Chhattisgarh agencies were actively involved in Jharkhand's liquor supply system. Allegations suggest that during this period, a large quantity of country liquor was sold using fake holograms, and irregularities occurred in the supply of foreign liquor. This allegedly caused crores of rupees in losses to the state treasury and provided undue benefits to a specific syndicate in the liquor trade.
This case originated from a First Information Report (FIR) filed with the Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing (EOW). This FIR was registered based on a complaint by Vikas Singh, a resident of Ranchi. Vikas Singh alleged that the then-Industries Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Anil Tuteja, the MD of Marketing Corporation Limited, Arunpati Tripathi, Anwar Dhebar (a resident of Raipur), and others conspired with Jharkhand officials to manipulate the excise policy and perpetrate the scam.
Based on this FIR, the ED initiated an investigation under the Money Laundering Act by registering an ECIR. The process of handing over the investigation to the CBI to further probe this case has now begun.
Case to be Handed Over to CBI
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Raipur recommended that the CBI investigate this matter. The relevant documents and evidence have been sent to the CBI headquarters. Indications suggest that the CBI will launch an independent investigation into this case and may take stringent action against the involved officials, companies, and agencies.
