Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: Noida Businessman Detained by UP STF

The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) has made a significant arrest in the ongoing investigation into the alleged Chhattisgarh liquor scam, capturing a Noida-based businessman, Vidhu Gupta. Gupta, the director of M/s Prizm Holography Security Films PHSF, was apprehended on Thursday, marking a crucial development in the case that has seen involvement from high-ranking officials and has stirred controversy.

An FIR was registered in July of the previous year at the Kasna police station in Greater Noida, following a complaint by a deputy director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The ED's investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has brought to light allegations against several key figures, including Niranjan Das, an IAS officer and former excise commissioner of Chhattisgarh; Arunpati Tripathi, managing director of Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited and special secretary excise; Anil Tuteja, another IAS officer and former industries secretary; Anwar Dhewar, a politician; and Vidhu Gupta himself.

According to the FIR, Gupta's company was illicitly awarded a tender to supply holograms to the Excise Department of Chhattisgarh despite not meeting eligibility criteria. It is alleged that in collusion with senior officials from Chhattisgarh, including Tripathi, Das, and Tuteja, the tender conditions were unlawfully altered to favor PHSF. The arrangement reportedly involved a commission of 8 paise per hologram and an agreement to supply counterfeit holograms for the distribution of illegal country liquor through state-run shops.

The ED claims that these actions not only compromised the integrity of a system designed to authenticate liquor but also enabled a liquor syndicate to exploit this safety feature. By manufacturing duplicate holograms at their Noida facility and transporting them to Chhattisgarh, PHSF allegedly facilitated the sale of illicit liquor, deceiving consumers and undermining public health and safety.

The contract awarded to PHSF involved supplying 80 crore holograms over five years at an inflated price, in exchange for the provision of these counterfeit holograms on demand. This case highlights significant concerns regarding corruption and malpractice within governmental procurement processes and raises questions about the oversight of such sensitive operations.

The arrest of Vidhu Gupta is a pivotal moment in this investigation, as authorities continue to unravel the extent of this scam and work towards holding those responsible accountable. The involvement of high-ranking officials and the intricate details of the scam's operation have drawn attention to the need for stringent measures to prevent such abuses of power in the future.