Babulal Marandi calls Jharkhand liquor scam ‘State-backed economic crime’
Ranchi, June 2: Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Tuesday described the alleged Jharkhand liquor scam as a “state-backed economic crime,”…
Ranchi, June 2: Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi on Tuesday described the alleged Jharkhand liquor scam as a “state-backed economic crime,” accusing the Hemant Soren government of enabling a nexus between liquor syndicates and individuals allegedly linked to the ruling establishment.
In a post on the social media platform X, Marandi alleged that the scam was not merely a case of corruption but an organised operation that led to the large-scale diversion of public money. He claimed that liquor mafias from Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh benefited from the alleged nexus and that central agencies were continuing to uncover details of the case.
Claims on ED Investigation
Marandi alleged that despite efforts by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to suppress the matter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was pressing ahead with its investigation.
According to him, central agencies were gradually exposing the alleged scam and bringing its details into the public domain.
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Allegations Against Liquor Syndicate
The BJP leader claimed that assets worth more than ₹1,000 crore belonging to Chhattisgarh-based liquor businessman Anwar Dhebar had been attached by the ED and alleged that the assets were linked to the liquor syndicate under investigation.
Marandi further alleged that Dhebar, through his association with former bureaucrat Vinay Choubey, played a key role in shaping the liquor business model implemented in Jharkhand.
“It is no secret that Anwar Dhebar—by establishing access to the highest echelons of power through Vinay Choubey—orchestrated the entire script of the liquor scam in Jharkhand,” Marandi alleged.
Criticises Liquor Policy
Marandi said he had repeatedly opposed changes in the state’s liquor policy, alleging that amendments were made to benefit liquor mafias and caused substantial losses to the state exchequer.
He claimed that funds meant for welfare schemes, employment generation and infrastructure development were diverted through the alleged scam.
“This scam is not merely a looting of funds, but a betrayal of Jharkhand’s future,” he said.
Warns of Legal Action
The Leader of the Opposition asserted that all those allegedly involved in the case would eventually face legal scrutiny.
Addressing Chief Minister Hemant Soren, Marandi said:
“Hemant Soren Ji, no matter how many political shields you attempt to erect, escaping justice after looting the public’s hard-earned money is simply no longer possible.”
He added that the people of Jharkhand were closely watching developments and that accountability would be sought for every rupee allegedly lost in the scam.
There was no immediate response from the Jharkhand government or those named in Marandi’s allegations at the time of filing this report.
