Is Suspended IAS Officer Vinay Chaubey Granted Bail in Jharkhand Liquor Scam?
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Synopsis
Suspended IAS officer Vinay Chaubey has been granted bail in the infamous Jharkhand liquor scam, raising questions about procedural integrity. The court's decision comes after the ACB failed to file a chargesheet within the required timeframe. What does this mean for the ongoing investigation and the future of the accused?
Key Takeaways
- Vinay Kumar Chaubey has been granted conditional bail in the Jharkhand liquor scam.
- The ACB failed to file a chargesheet within the required timeframe.
- Several conditions have been imposed on Chaubey regarding his bail.
- A total of 13 individuals have been named in the initial FIR.
- The investigation has revealed significant financial irregularities.
Ranchi, Aug 19 (NationPress) The suspended senior IAS officer Vinay Kumar Chaubey, who was arrested in relation to the Jharkhand liquor scam back in May, has been granted bail by a special ACB court on Tuesday under Section 187(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
Before granting bail, the court imposed several conditions on Chaubey. He must obtain permission prior to leaving the state, is prohibited from changing his mobile number throughout the trial, and is required to provide two personal bonds of Rs 25,000 each.
Chaubey's bail was granted on the grounds that the ACB had not filed a chargesheet even after 92 days since his arrest.
Advocate Devesh Ajmani represented Chaubey in court. The IAS officer was taken into custody on May 20 after approximately six hours of questioning related to the liquor scam.
Following his arrest, Chaubey was suspended, as per government service regulations, which state that any officer detained for more than 48 hours is subject to suspension.
A total of 13 individuals, including Chaubey, were named in the initial FIR. To date, 10 accused have been apprehended from Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra.
Previously, Chaubey has held positions including Secretary of the Excise Department and Secretary to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, along with various other significant roles in the state.
The alleged liquor scam dates back to 2022, when Jharkhand implemented a new excise policy modeled after that of Chhattisgarh. This policy was executed through an agreement with the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited.
Subsequent investigations uncovered extensive irregularities, including arbitrary modifications to tender conditions favoring a syndicate.
This syndicate, in collaboration with a consultant firm based in Chhattisgarh, allegedly obtained contracts for liquor supply and the hologram system in Jharkhand. Additionally, fake bank guarantees were submitted during the tendering process, resulting in significant financial losses for the state.
An internal audit conducted by the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited estimated the loss at Rs 130 crore, attributed to seven agencies.
However, the ACB's failure to submit a chargesheet within the stipulated timeframe facilitated the court's decision to grant Chaubey conditional bail.
Point of View
The granting of bail to Vinay Kumar Chaubey underscores the ongoing legal challenges within the Jharkhand liquor scam investigation. With multiple arrests already made and significant financial irregularities reported, it is crucial for the ACB to expedite the judicial process to uphold public trust and accountability in governance.
NationPress
19/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Jharkhand liquor scam?
The Jharkhand liquor scam refers to alleged irregularities in the state's excise policy implementation, resulting in significant financial losses due to fraudulent contracts and tender manipulations.
Why was Vinay Chaubey arrested?
Vinay Chaubey was arrested in connection with the Jharkhand liquor scam after extensive interrogation revealed his involvement in the irregularities associated with the state's excise policies.
What are the conditions of Chaubey's bail?
Chaubey's bail conditions include seeking permission before leaving the state, not changing his mobile number during the trial, and providing two personal bonds of Rs 25,000 each.
How many people have been arrested in this case?
So far, a total of 10 individuals have been arrested in relation to the Jharkhand liquor scam, including Chaubey, as part of the ongoing investigation.
What financial losses have been reported?
An internal audit estimated the financial loss to the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited at Rs 130 crore due to the irregularities and fraudulent activities in the liquor supply contracts.
