Is There a Liquor Scam in Madhya Pradesh? ED Launches Raids!

Bhopal, April 28 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated search operations at 11 locations connected to various liquor contractors throughout Madhya Pradesh, including cities such as Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and Mandsaur, according to sources.

This investigation stems from an FIR that alleges a significant loss to state revenues, amounting to Rs 49.42 crore, attributed to the contractors involved.

The contractors are accused of devising a fraudulent scheme that involved the forgery and manipulation of treasury challans, in addition to illegally obtaining NOCs for liquor procurement during the fiscal years from 2015-16 to 2017-18, as per the source information.

During the three-year span between 2015 and 2018, a total of 194 forged challans were reportedly used to withdraw liquor from warehouses managed by the Excise Office in Indore. Initially, small challans, each appearing to be for modest amounts, were presented to banks. However, these were later altered to show figures in lakhs, facilitating the withdrawal of large quantities of liquor, which were subsequently sold in retail outlets.

The ED's inquiry into this scandal began in 2024 following a formal complaint. To bolster its investigation, the ED has requested key documents from the Excise Department and local enforcement agencies, including records of bank accounts held by the implicated contractors, along with internal investigation reports from the Excise authorities. This inquiry originates from an FIR filed at Raoji Police Station (Jabran Colony) in Indore against 14 individuals, accusing them of cheating and fraud. At that time, several officials from the Excise Department were suspended.

It is claimed that fraudulent challans have been submitted to the Excise Department for the past three years. Although Excise Department officials were supposed to verify these challans every 15 days, they failed to do so during this period. In communications with relevant authorities, the ED has requested detailed accounts regarding the FIR, including any recoveries made from the contractors involved.

Additionally, the ED has sought information on inquiries against Excise Department officials, emphasizing the importance of internal reports. A thorough audit of liquor transactions during the implicated timeframe revealed substantial discrepancies.

In the years leading up to the scandal, liquor establishments in Indore were auctioned for Rs 556 crore in 2015, Rs 609 crore in 2016, and Rs 683 crore in 2017. Thus, challans worth Rs 1700 crore were scrutinized, yet no definitive outcomes have been reached, leaving the situation clouded in uncertainty, sources indicate.