Jharkhand Opposition Leader Seeks CBI Intervention in Rs 750 Crore Liquor Scam
In a significant development, Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi on Tuesday submitted a formal memorandum to Governor Santosh Gangwar, urging his intervention to initiate a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the ongoing liquor scam case. The case, currently under investigation by the state's Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), has sparked controversy over alleged mishandling and delays.
Allegations of ACB Laxity and Bail Controversies
Marandi leveled serious accusations against the ACB, claiming the agency has failed to file even a single chargesheet in the alleged scam, which amounts to a staggering Rs 750 crore. He asserted that this inaction has led to many suspects, previously arrested, securing default bail due to the agency's perceived laxity. "It is a matter of concern that the state's investigating agency, instead of conducting an impartial investigation into this serious economic crime, is providing complete protection to corruption," Marandi stated in his memorandum.
He further alleged that the ACB is deliberately compromising evidence and statutory timelines to shield those involved in the corruption. According to Marandi, amendments made to Jharkhand's excise policy in 2022 were designed to benefit a syndicate, resulting in massive revenue losses for the state. Initially estimated at Rs 38 crore, the scam has ballooned to over Rs 750 crore based on the ACB's own probe findings.
Arrests and Political Backlash
On May 20, the ACB arrested the alleged masterminds of the scam, including former excise secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey and joint excise commissioner Gajendra Singh, with more arrests following. However, Marandi criticized the agency for its failure to file chargesheets promptly, which he claims has allowed many accused to obtain bail. "Many got bail due to ACB's deliberate failure to file chargesheet," he alleged, reinforcing his call for the governor to recommend a CBI investigation to ensure transparency and accountability.
In response, the Congress party, part of the ruling alliance, hit back at Marandi's allegations. Party spokesperson Alok Dubey accused the BJP of disruptive tactics, stating, "BJP is working like a gang, which neither works itself nor let others work. State agency is working with transparency, while BJP is only trying to vitiate the atmosphere by levelling wild allegations." This exchange highlights the deepening political rift over the handling of the corruption case.
Implications for Governance and Anti-Corruption Efforts
The demand for a CBI probe underscores growing concerns about the effectiveness of state-level anti-corruption mechanisms in Jharkhand. As the controversy unfolds, stakeholders are calling for:
- Enhanced investigative rigor to prevent evidence tampering and timeline breaches.
- Greater accountability in excise policy implementations to curb revenue losses.
- Political cooperation to address corruption allegations without partisan interference.
This case not only impacts the state's financial health but also tests the integrity of its governance structures, with potential ramifications for future anti-corruption initiatives in the region.
