Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam Sees First Arrest by Anti-Corruption Bureau

In a significant development in Chhattisgarh, the Anti-Corruption Bureau/Economic Offences Wing (ACB/EOW) has made a pivotal arrest in the ongoing investigation into the alleged liquor scam that has gripped the state. Arvind Singh, a key figure in the case, was detained late Wednesday night and subsequently placed under ACB/EOW custody until April 8, as ordered by ACB/EOW special Judge Nidhi Sharma, according to Deputy Director Prosecution Mithlesh Verma.

This arrest marks a crucial step in the probe into the alleged Rs 2,000 crore liquor scam that has seen the involvement of several high-profile individuals and entities. Notably, Singh had previously been apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in June 2023 concerning the same case but was released on bail by the High Court on April 2.

The FIR, lodged by the ACB/EOW in January 2024 based on a complaint from the ED, implicates as many as 70 individuals, including prominent leaders from the Congress party and various companies. The allegations are severe, with charges framed under both the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Indian Penal Code.

The ED's complaint to the ACB/EOW outlined that senior officials allegedly colluded with private and influential figures to inflict financial losses on the state while illicitly profiting from the liquor trade. The investigation by the ED uncovered a criminal syndicate accused of extorting illegal commissions from liquor sales and engaging in unauthorized transactions through government liquor outlets.

In July of the previous year, the ED took a significant step by submitting a prosecution complaint chargesheet to a PMLA court in Raipur. This document claimed that corruption involving Rs 2,161 crore had been unearthed, tracing back to activities starting in 2019. According to the ED, this syndicate included senior bureaucrats, politicians, their associates, and officials from the excise department.

The ongoing investigations and legal proceedings highlight a concerted effort by authorities to address and dismantle corrupt practices within Chhattisgarh's liquor trade. With key arrests being made and chargesheets filed, this case continues to unveil the complexities of corruption networks operating within state mechanisms.