Are the Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand Liquor Scams Connected?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Could the liquor scams in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh be two sides of the same coin? Recent revelations suggest a deeper connection that has drawn the attention of central agencies, leading to significant arrests and investigations.
Key Takeaways
- Interlinking of scams: The Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh liquor scams are reportedly connected.
- Central agency involvement: The ED and CBI are expected to expand their investigations.
- Key arrests: Senior officials, including IAS officers, have been arrested.
- Financial losses: The scams have resulted in significant financial losses for the Jharkhand government.
- Policy manipulation: The excise policies were allegedly manipulated to benefit certain contractors.
Ranchi, May 21 (NationPress) An investigation into the ₹100-crore liquor scandal in Jharkhand suggests a connection to a similar scheme in neighboring Chhattisgarh. Authorities, including the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), are expected to broaden their inquiries into this matter.
Recently, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jharkhand apprehended senior IAS officer and former Excise Secretary Vinay Chaubey along with Joint Excise Commissioner Gajendra Singh regarding the Jharkhand liquor controversy.
Both officials have previously been implicated in the Chhattisgarh liquor scandal. The ED has been looking into this case since last year, and the state government recently suggested a CBI investigation.
Sources indicate that due to the close ties between the two scandals, both central agencies may soon involve themselves in the Jharkhand investigation.
The linkage can be traced back to 2022, when Jharkhand adopted a new liquor policy inspired by Chhattisgarh’s model. To implement this policy, Jharkhand entered into a consultancy agreement with the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL).
Investigations have uncovered that discrepancies started during this phase.
Chaubey and Singh were pivotal in the design and application of the new policy in Jharkhand. A complaint from Ranchi resident Vikas Singh led to an FIR in Chhattisgarh’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) last year, naming seven people, including Chaubey and Singh.
The FIR claims that a liquor syndicate from Chhattisgarh collaborated with Jharkhand officials to manipulate the excise policy in favor of select contractors. The syndicate allegedly sold country liquor using counterfeit holograms and illegally supplied foreign liquor to chosen firms, leading to significant undisclosed profits.
It also alleges that tender regulations were altered under the guidance of senior officials, including Chaubey and Singh, ensuring that only syndicate members could qualify. This resulted in substantial financial loss for the Jharkhand government between 2022 and 2023.
Other individuals implicated in the case include former Chhattisgarh IAS officer Anil Tuteja, businessman Anwar Dhebar, former CSMCL MD Arun Pati Tripathi, former Chhattisgarh Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das, Arvind Singh, and Noida-based businessman Vidhu Gupta.
Following the FIR in Chhattisgarh, the ED registered an ECIR and launched its own investigation. In October 2024, the agency carried out searches at the homes of Chaubey and Singh in Jharkhand, recovering iPhones and other digital devices as evidence.
The case took a new direction when the Jharkhand ACB, with state government consent, initiated a preliminary inquiry.
On Tuesday, the ACB interrogated Chaubey and Singh for over six hours. After confirming their involvement, the bureau filed an FIR, arrested both officials, and placed them in judicial custody.
Point of View
The interconnection between the liquor scams in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh highlights systemic issues within state governance. The involvement of high-ranking officials raises questions about accountability and the measures necessary to prevent such corrupt practices in the future. The nation deserves transparency and a commitment to justice in these investigations.
NationPress
08/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jharkhand liquor scam about?
The Jharkhand liquor scam involves allegations of corruption and collusion among state officials and a liquor syndicate, resulting in significant financial losses.
How are the Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh scams connected?
Both scams are linked through a shared network of officials and a similar liquor policy that led to irregularities favoring certain contractors.
What actions have been taken by authorities?
The ED and CBI are expanding their investigations, while key officials have already been arrested by the ACB.
What is the significance of the FIR?
The FIR serves as a formal complaint that has initiated further investigations into the alleged corruption and misconduct.
What are the implications for state governance?
These cases underscore the necessity for accountability and reform in state governance to combat corruption effectively.
