Jharkhand liquor scam: ACB issues notice to 7 linked to Gujarat, Maharashtra firms

THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK

Ranchi, May 27: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) of Jharkhand has intensified its investigation into the state’s liquor scam, which is estimated to be worth around ₹33.44 crore. As part of the ongoing probe, the ACB has issued notices to seven individuals associated with two companies from Gujarat and Maharashtra.

On Tuesday, the Jharkhand ACB summoned four individuals linked to Gujarat-based Vision Hospitality Services and Consultant—Bipin Jadavbhai Parmar, Mahesh Shedge, Paresh Abheysinh Thakor, and Bikramsinh Abheysinh Thakor—for questioning.

Also Read- Jharkhand News: Karn Satyarthi assumes office as East Singhbhum’s new DC

In addition, three people associated with Maharashtra’s Marshan Innovative Security Services Private Limited—Jagan Tukaram Desai, Kamal Jagan Desai, and Sheetal Jagan Desai—have been served notices under Section 41A of the CrPC and called for questioning.

Earlier, on Monday, the ACB had also issued similar notices to Dhananjay Kumar, Umashankar Singh, Chipij Trivedi, Vinay Kumar Singh, and Upendra Sharma.

Five Arrested So Far

The ACB has arrested five people in connection with the scam. On the night of May 22, it apprehended Sudhir Kumar, Regional Director of JIADA Ranchi zone and former GM (Operations and Finance) of JSBCL, current GM (Finance) Sudhir Kumar Das, and Neeraj Kumar Singh, a representative of Marshan company.

Prior to that, on May 20, IAS officer Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh were arrested. All five were presented in the ACB special court, which remanded them to judicial custody until June 3 for 14 days.

Also Read- 18 Naxals, including 10 with Rs 38 lakh bounty, surrender in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma

Background of the Case

Toward the end of 2021, discussions among liquor traders in Jharkhand indicated that a new liquor policy would be implemented in 2022–23, allegedly influenced by the Chhattisgarh liquor syndicate. Against this backdrop, the state excise department appointed Chhattisgarh State Marketing Limited (CSML) as a consultant to boost liquor revenue in Jharkhand.

The government approved a consultancy fee of ₹1.25 crore for Arunpati Tripathi to help draft the new excise policy. Once the policy was drafted, it was sent to the Revenue Board for approval. At that time, Amrendra Prasad Singh was a member of the board. He objected to the proposed policy and suggested several amendments, noting that the firm hired to increase revenue in Jharkhand had failed to do so in its own home state.