The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has intensified its ongoing investigation into the alleged Rs. 38 crore liquor scam by issuing notices to two senior IAS officers of the state cadre, Mr. Manoj Kumar and Mr. Mukesh Kumar. The bureau has directed both officers to appear for questioning after the Chhath festivities.
According to a senior official of the ACB, both officers have served as Secretaries of the State Excise and Prohibition Department in the past, a position central to the ongoing inquiry. The notices are part of a broader effort by the bureau to uncover irregularities in liquor trade management and contract allocation under the department.
Former Bureaucrats and Businessmen Already Under Scrutiny
The liquor scam, pegged at around Rs. 38 crore, has been under investigation since early this year. The ACB has already arrested several senior officials and private individuals in connection with the case.
Among those previously arrested are IAS officer and former Excise Secretary Mr. Vinay Choubey, former IAS officer Mr. Amit Prakash, Excise Officer Mr. Gajendra Singh, former Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited (JSBCL) General Manager Mr. Sudhir Kumar Das, and GM (Operations and Finance) Mr. Sudhir Kumar, along with several businessmen.
All accused individuals have secured bail after the ACB failed to file the chargesheet within the stipulated 90-day period. However, officials have indicated that the investigation remains active and that additional questioning and financial audits are underway.
ACB’s Focus on Administrative Transparency and Systemic Reforms
Sources within the ACB stated that the bureau suspects procedural violations and misuse of official authority in the selection of placement agencies related to liquor distribution and revenue management. The accused officers allegedly bypassed standard procurement rules and financial guidelines.
The bureau aims not only to ensure accountability but also to strengthen governance and financial compliance mechanisms within the Excise and Prohibition Department. Officials emphasized that the case highlights the importance of robust administrative reforms to prevent future irregularities in public sector contracts.
Developmental and Governance Context
The Jharkhand government has been working on overhauling its excise policy to ensure greater transparency, digital tracking of liquor sales, and improved revenue collection. Officials familiar with the policy review said the ACB probe aligns with the broader administrative objective of cleaning up systemic corruption and enhancing efficiency in government departments.
The ongoing inquiry is expected to inform new guidelines for departmental audits, digital record management, and vendor selection processes across state-run corporations.
Also Read: Suspended IAS Vinay Kumar Choubey Gets Bail in Liquor Scam Case, Remains in Jail Over Land Probe
