Ranchi – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has officially entered the ongoing investigation into the multi-crore Jharkhand liquor scam, accelerating the probe into what is considered one of the largest corruption cases in the state.
Based on an FIR previously filed by the Jharkhand Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), the ED has registered ECIR No. 10/2025 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The special PMLA court in Ranchi has also permitted the agency to question and record statements of the accused arrested earlier by the ACB.
The ACB’s FIR was lodged in May after a preliminary investigation uncovered widespread irregularities in the liquor supply and distribution network in the state.
More than a dozen individuals have been named, including high-ranking bureaucrats. Arrested earlier this year were IAS officer Vinay Kumar Chaubey, retired IAS officer Amit Prakash, JAS officer Gajendra Singh, Chhattisgarh-based businessman Siddharth Singhania, and Vidhu Gupta, director of a private firm.
All the accused were granted bail later because the ACB could not file a chargesheet within the mandated period. To date, four IAS officers have already been questioned.
The investigation revealed that the state had awarded contracts for liquor shop operations and manpower services to seven placement agencies. According to the ACB, these agencies had grossly violated tender norms, resulting in heavy losses to the state. Several bank guarantees submitted during bidding were later found to be forged.
An internal audit conducted by the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited estimated a loss of ₹129.55 crore to the state exchequer due to fraud and manipulation.
With the ED now focusing on the money-laundering aspect, officials believe a broader network of financial beneficiaries and trails may soon come to light.
With inputs from IANS