Jharkhand liquor scam: ED summons ex-Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon, son
Synopsis
The ED has summoned former Jharkhand Finance Minister and Congress MLA Rameshwar Oraon, his son Rohit, and a retired Excise Commissioner in the Jharkhand liquor scam — a probe that already has 10 accused named in an ACB FIR, including a senior IAS officer. The money laundering angle is now squarely trained on political figures for the first time.
Key Takeaways
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Rameshwar Oraon (Congress MLA, former Jharkhand Finance Minister), his son Rohit Oraon , and retired Excise Commissioner Amit Prakash for questioning.
All three have been asked to appear on a specified date with relevant documents.
The ED registered ECIR No.
10/2025 linked to ACB Case No.
9/2025 and has obtained Ranchi PMLA court permission to record statements.
The ACB had filed an FIR in May 2024 , naming 10 individuals including senior IAS officer Vinay Chaubey and Excise Department Joint Secretary Gajendra Singh .
The ED is probing alleged money laundering linked to irregularities in Jharkhand's new excise policy that reportedly caused losses to the state exchequer.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued summons to Congress MLA and former Jharkhand Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon, his son Rohit Oraon, and retired Excise Commissioner Amit Prakash for questioning in the high-profile Jharkhand liquor scam. All three have been directed to appear on a specified date and to bring relevant documents related to the case, according to reports.
What the ED Is Investigating
The agency is examining alleged financial transactions and the role of various private companies in the rollout of Jharkhand's new excise policy. Investigators reportedly believe that Rohit Oraon may have facilitated contracts for certain Chhattisgarh-based companies operating in Jharkhand — a line of inquiry the ED is said to be pursuing further. The ED has not issued any official statement on the summons so far.
How the Case Was Registered
The ED registered Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) No. 10/2025 in connection with Case No. 9/2025 lodged by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Following registration, ED officials questioned some of the accused already in custody as part of the ongoing probe. The agency has also secured permission from the Ranchi PMLA court to record statements of individuals arrested by the ACB earlier.
Background: The ACB FIR and Key Accused
The ACB had registered an FIR in May 2024 over alleged irregularities in the implementation of Jharkhand's new liquor policy. The FIR named 10 individuals, including senior IAS officer Vinay Chaubey, then Joint Secretary of the Excise Department Gajendra Singh, and Vinay Singh. The allegations centre on irregularities that purportedly caused losses to the state exchequer.
The Money Laundering Angle
The ED's focus is on tracing how alleged proceeds from the irregularities were utilised and mapping the involvement of various individuals in the financial chain. This is consistent with the agency's mandate under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Rameshwar Oraon, a senior political figure in Jharkhand, currently serves as a Congress MLA from the Lohardaga Assembly constituency.
What Comes Next
The questioning of Oraon and his son marks a significant escalation in a probe that has already ensnared senior bureaucrats. With the PMLA court's backing and multiple accused already in custody, the ED's investigation is expected to widen as financial trails are examined and statements recorded.
Point of View
Where excise policy overhauls became vectors for alleged financial misconduct. The critical question is whether the ED can establish a direct money trail linking Rohit Oraon's alleged contract facilitation to the senior political leadership, or whether the case remains anchored at the bureaucratic level. With the ACB FIR already a year old and 10 accused named, the pace of the ED's PMLA investigation will be closely watched — especially given the political sensitivity of targeting a Congress leader in a state where the party is part of the ruling alliance.
NationPress
28 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the ED summoned Rameshwar Oraon in the Jharkhand liquor scam?
The ED has summoned Congress MLA and former Jharkhand Finance Minister Rameshwar Oraon as part of its money laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the state's new excise policy. The agency is examining financial transactions and the role of private companies in the policy's implementation.
Who else has been summoned by the ED in this case?
Along with Rameshwar Oraon, the ED has summoned his son Rohit Oraon and retired Excise Commissioner Amit Prakash. The agency reportedly believes Rohit Oraon may have facilitated contracts for Chhattisgarh-based companies in Jharkhand.
What is the Jharkhand liquor scam about?
The case centres on alleged irregularities in the implementation of Jharkhand's new excise policy, which purportedly caused losses to the state exchequer. The Anti-Corruption Bureau filed an FIR in May 2024 naming 10 individuals, including senior IAS officer Vinay Chaubey and Excise Department Joint Secretary Gajendra Singh.
What legal steps has the ED taken so far?
The ED registered ECIR No. 10/2025 linked to ACB Case No. 9/2025, questioned some accused already in custody, and obtained permission from the Ranchi PMLA court to record statements of individuals arrested by the ACB.
Who is Rameshwar Oraon?
Rameshwar Oraon is a senior Congress leader in Jharkhand, currently serving as MLA from the Lohardaga Assembly constituency. He previously held the post of state Finance Minister.
