Ranchi: In a significant step, the Jharkhand High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail application of suspended IAS officer Vinay Kumar Chaubey in the alleged ₹129 crore liquor scam. Justice Sanjay Dwivedi presided over the hearing, with Advocate Devesh Azmani representing Chaubey.
The petition had not only sought bail but also challenged the validity of the FIR filed by the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) and the legality of Chaubey’s arrest. It further urged the court to quash all related criminal proceedings.
ACB Arrest Followed Six-Hour Interrogation
Chaubey, a 2003-batch officer, was arrested on May 20 by the ACB after nearly six hours of questioning. Following his arrest, he was suspended from service under rules mandating suspension for any official held in custody beyond 48 hours.
He is among 13 accused named in the FIR, which spans alleged offences across Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. So far, 10 accused have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
Scam Linked to 2022 Excise Policy
The case stems from the Jharkhand government’s 2022 excise policy, modelled on Chhattisgarh’s framework. Under this policy, the state signed an agreement with the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited to manage liquor supply.
Investigators allege that tender conditions were deliberately manipulated to favour a specific liquor syndicate. This group, reportedly in collusion with officials from a Chhattisgarh-based consultant company, secured contracts for both liquor distribution and the state’s hologram system.
Fake Bank Guarantees and Massive Losses
Authorities further claim that the companies involved submitted fake bank guarantees. This resulted in significant revenue loss to the state. An internal audit by the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited later revealed that seven agencies had collectively defrauded the exchequer of ₹129.55 crore.
Chaubey, who has previously served as Secretary of the Jharkhand Excise and Prohibition Department and as Secretary to former Chief Minister Hemant Soren, remains in custody as investigations continue.
Also Read: Jharkhand High Court Reserves Decision on Bail Plea of IAS Officer Chhavi Ranjan in Land Scam Case
