Babulal Marandi files PIL in Jharkhand HC for CBI probe into liquor scam
Synopsis
Jharkhand Opposition leader Babulal Marandi has taken the liquor scam battle to the High Court, filing a PIL that lays bare a 14-month investigation with no chargesheet and all accused out on default bail. The move puts the Hemant Soren government's ACB probe under direct judicial scrutiny.
Key Takeaways
Babulal Marandi filed a PIL in the Jharkhand High Court on 13 July seeking a CBI probe into the alleged liquor scam.
The ACB registered an FIR in 2025 but failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated period, resulting in default bail for all accused.
Nearly 14 months have elapsed since the case was registered with no chargesheet submitted, according to the petition.
Suspended IAS officer Vinay Chaubey is among the high-profile names cited in the plea.
The PIL alleges two placement agencies received contracts through forged bank guarantees under Jharkhand's 2022 excise policy .
Marandi had earlier met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar on 31 March to demand a CBI inquiry.
Babulal Marandi, Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Jharkhand High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged liquor scam in the state. The petition, filed in Ranchi, argues that the existing investigation by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has stalled, with no chargesheet filed despite nearly 14 months having elapsed since the case was registered.
Key Allegations in the PIL
According to the petition, the ACB registered an FIR in the case in 2025 and arrested several accused persons. However, because a chargesheet was not filed within the stipulated time, all the accused were released on default bail — a development Marandi's petition cites as evidence of investigative failure.
The plea names suspended IAS officer Vinay Chaubey among several high-profile individuals whose names have surfaced during the probe. It further alleges that two placement agencies were awarded contracts on the basis of forged bank guarantees, and that the roles of several private companies linked to the liquor trade have come under scrutiny.
The 2022 Excise Policy at the Centre
Marandi's petition contends that Jharkhand introduced a new excise policy in 2022, modelled on the Chhattisgarh liquor policy. The PIL asserts that a comprehensive inquiry is required into the company responsible for manufacturing holograms, the agency supplying manpower, and the firm awarded the wholesale liquor contract — none of which, it alleges, have been adequately examined by the ACB.
Earlier Push for CBI Inquiry
This is not Marandi's first move on the issue. On 31 March, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and submitted a memorandum alleging serious irregularities in the ACB's handling of the case, formally requesting a CBI handover at that stage as well. The PIL now escalates that demand to the judicial arena.
What the Court Has Been Asked to Do
Through the petition, Marandi has urged the Jharkhand High Court to direct that the entire case be transferred to the CBI for an independent and comprehensive investigation. The court is yet to issue any formal notice or order on the petition. The matter is expected to come up for preliminary hearing in the coming days, and the state government will likely be asked to respond.
Point of View
And all accused walking free on default bail, represent a genuine accountability gap. If the Jharkhand High Court admits the petition and seeks a state response, it will force the ACB to publicly justify its pace — something no government welcomes. The BJP's parallel track of Governor memorials and now judicial PILs suggests a coordinated strategy, but the liquor-policy-scam template, used successfully in other states, carries real legal weight here.
NationPress
13 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jharkhand liquor scam PIL filed by Babulal Marandi?
Babulal Marandi, Leader of the Opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly, filed a PIL in the Jharkhand High Court on 13 July seeking a CBI probe into the alleged liquor scam in the state. The petition argues the ACB investigation has made no meaningful progress in 14 months and that no chargesheet has been filed, allowing all accused to walk free on default bail.
Why is Marandi demanding a CBI probe instead of the ACB investigation?
Marandi's petition alleges the ACB probe has stalled — no chargesheet was filed within the legally required period, leading to default bail for all accused. He argues that only an independent CBI inquiry can ensure a thorough and impartial investigation into the high-profile individuals named in the case.
Who are the key accused named in the Jharkhand liquor scam case?
According to the PIL, suspended IAS officer Vinay Chaubey is among the high-profile individuals whose names have surfaced during the investigation. The petition also flags the roles of two placement agencies, a hologram manufacturer, a manpower supply agency, and a wholesale liquor contractor.
What is Jharkhand's 2022 excise policy and how is it linked to the scam?
Jharkhand introduced a new excise policy in 2022, reportedly modelled on the Chhattisgarh liquor policy. The PIL alleges that under this policy, two placement agencies were awarded contracts on the basis of forged bank guarantees, and that several private companies tied to the liquor trade have come under scrutiny.
What action had Marandi taken before filing the PIL?
On 31 March, Marandi met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and submitted a memorandum alleging serious irregularities in the ACB's handling of the case, formally requesting a CBI probe. The PIL filed in the High Court is an escalation of that demand to the judicial level.
