Did the MP liquor fake challan 'scam' cost the government over Rs 70 crore?
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Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has uncovered a major liquor fraud, attaching assets worth over Rs 70 crore. This scandal reveals a sophisticated scheme to cheat the Madhya Pradesh government, with ongoing investigations likely to result in further arrests. How deep does this scam go?
Key Takeaways
- ED attaches properties worth over Rs 70 crore
- Involvement of multiple liquor contractors
- Systematic fraud scheme revealed
- Investigation under Prevention of Money Laundering Act
- Ongoing efforts to identify additional proceeds of crime
Indore, Nov 29 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has provisionally attached 28 immovable properties worth in excess of Rs 70 crore as part of the notorious liquor fake challan 'scam', which has led to significant revenue losses for the Madhya Pradesh government.
The properties affected include valuable land and residential flats situated in Indore, Mandsaur, and Khargone that belong to various liquor contractors implicated in the scheme.
The ED's investigation into money laundering commenced following an FIR filed by the Raoji Bazar Police Station in Indore against numerous liquor contractors, both domestic and foreign.
The perpetrators employed a well-organized method to defraud the state's treasury; they would create treasury challans for minimal amounts, intentionally leaving the 'Rupees in Words' section blank. After depositing a lower sum into the bank, they would later alter the figure column and write inflated amounts on the bank’s copy.
These counterfeit challans, reflecting inflated payments, were then submitted to country liquor warehouses or the District Excise Office to acquire No-Objection Certificates (NOCs). This fraudulent activity allowed them to procure significantly larger quantities of liquor stock while remitting only a fraction of the actual fees owed, including duty and minimum guarantee amounts.
During the investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED has thus far confirmed that the main accused, Raju Dashwant, Ansh Trivedi, and other liquor contractors, collectively generated, concealed, and presented proceeds of crime surpassing Rs 49 crore through acts of forgery, fraud, and conspiracy.
Both Raju Dashwant and Ansh Trivedi, who were previously detained by the ED, are currently in judicial custody.
A senior official from the ED noted that the provisional attachment order was issued on Saturday under PMLA provisions to avert further dissipation of the tainted assets.
The agency has already forwarded the order to the Adjudicating Authority for validation.
Ongoing investigations concerning the money trail and the identification of additional proceeds of crime are underway. Further arrests and asset attachments are anticipated in the upcoming days.
Point of View
I believe this investigation underscores the critical need for transparency and accountability in the liquor industry. Such scams not only undermine government revenue but also erode public trust. The Enforcement Directorate's swift actions are commendable, but sustained efforts are necessary to prevent similar frauds in the future.
NationPress
29/11/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the liquor fake challan scam?
The liquor fake challan scam involves fraudulent activities by contractors who created false treasury challans to cheat the Madhya Pradesh government, resulting in significant financial losses.
How much has the ED attached in this case?
The Enforcement Directorate has attached properties valued at over Rs 70 crore linked to this scam.
Who are the main accused in the scam?
The main accused include Raju Dashwant and Ansh Trivedi, who have been arrested and are currently in judicial custody.
What actions are being taken against the accused?
The ED is investigating the money trail and has provisionally attached the accused's assets to prevent further dissipation of tainted assets.
What is the potential impact of this scam on the government?
The scam has resulted in a significant revenue loss for the Madhya Pradesh government, raising concerns about regulatory oversight in the liquor industry.
