Ranchi: IAS officer Amit Kumar on Monday recorded his statement before a judicial magistrate in a Ranchi court in connection with the Rs 38-crore liquor scam case. The investigation is being conducted by the state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
Kumar’s statement is a key development in the case, which revolves around fake bank guarantees submitted by liquor merchants to run retail liquor shops in the state. Sources said that the statement was recorded under Section 183 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita on the court’s order. A copy of the statement will be produced in court and also provided to the ACB.
Background of the Scam
The case involves counterfeit bank guarantees submitted by human resource agencies Vision Hospitality and Marshan Innovative, which enabled them to operate liquor shops without proper verification. Allegations also include a lack of action against these agencies by the excise department during the tenure of several IAS officers, including Amit Kumar.
Several IAS officers who served as excise commissioners have been interrogated by the ACB in connection with the case. Amit Kumar’s testimony is expected to shed further light on the administrative lapses and procedural irregularities.
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Upcoming Interrogations
The ACB has scheduled further questioning in related cases:
- Sanchita Choubey, wife of suspended IAS officer Vinay Choubey, will be questioned regarding a disproportionate assets case.
- Vinay Choubey himself, also an accused in the Hazaribag land scam, is set to be questioned by the bureau.
These proceedings indicate the continued scrutiny of IAS officers and their associates in Jharkhand’s high-profile corruption cases.
Read also: ACB Questions Swapna Sanchita, Wife of Suspended IAS Officer Vinay Choubey, Over DA Case
