Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has achieved a major success in the Chhattisgarh liquor scam case. The ED has seized movable and immovable assets worth Rs 205.49 crore of the accused in the case and former IAS officer Anil Tuteja. Also, accused Vidhu Gupta was arrested by the UP STF from Greater Noida. His company had made prism holography to be pasted on liquor bottles, for which a commission of 8 paise was fixed.
ED started its investigation with a commission of eight paise. The Chhattisgarh liquor scam is estimated to be more than 2 thousand crore rupees. Taking action, ED has seized 18 movable properties and 161 immovable properties of the accused. ED has stated the value of the attached properties on the social media site to be around 205 crore 49 lakh rupees.
Sharing information about the action taken against X, ED has said that 18 movable and 161 immovable properties have been temporarily seized. In the ongoing investigation of the liquor scam in the state of Chhattisgarh, property worth Rs 205.49 crore belonging to former IAS Anil Tuteja, Anwar Dhebar and others has been seized. As of today, the market value of this property is said to be many times more than Rs 205 crore.
What is Chhattisgarh liquor scam?
According to the investigating agency, a massive scam was committed in the liquor trade in Chhattisgarh. This alleged scam was done between the years 2019 to 2022. After the ED’s revelations, the Congress targeted the Raman government. In which it was alleged that more than Rs 2,000 crore of black money was earned.
Investigation of liquor scam is being continuing in Chhattisgarh. Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur Mayor Ejaz Dhebar. It is alleged that a syndicate is working under the leadership of Anwar Dhebar which committed fraud on the sale of every bottle. According to ED, about Rs 2,000 crore has been embezzled in this entire case. According to ED, there has been corruption in the liquor business in Chhattisgarh and evidence of money laundering has also been found.
The ED said in a statement that Anwar Dhebar was arrested from a hotel in Raipur early Saturday morning under criminal sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) when he was trying to escape through the back door. The PMLA Special Court later sent him to ED custody for four days. Anwar Dhebar’s lawyer alleged that the action against his client seems to be politically motivated and he will approach the Supreme Court against it.
Former IAS officer Anil Tuteja was accused
The Income Tax Department had filed a chargesheet in a Delhi court in 2022 regarding the money laundering case. In its chargesheet, the ED had named former IAS officer Anil Tuteja as the mastermind of money laundering. The ED had said that the entire syndicate was linked to Anil Tuteja.
ED had said that this syndicate includes political officials as well as administrative officials of the state government and private individuals. Anil Tuteja was the then Joint Secretary of the Department of Commerce and Industry. ED had made many other administrative officials accused in this case. Along with this, Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma was also accused.
What are the allegations against Anwar Dhebar?
The ED, which is investigating money laundering, said that Anwar Dhebar was summoned seven times but he did not join the investigation. According to the ED, Anwar Dhebar was constantly using anonymous SIM cards and internet dongles and was changing his location. Ejaz Dhebar is considered an influential leader of the ruling Congress in Chhattisgarh. He is also the current mayor of Raipur.
Allegations of bribery from distillers
The Chhattisgarh government is accused of taking bribes from distillers for the purchase of liquor through CSMCL, the state body formed for the purchase and sale of liquor. Distillers were charged with money to form a cartel and decide the market share. According to the information, there are also allegations of taking bribes on per liquor basis and selling country liquor off-the-book.
