Ranchi: In a significant development, the Jharkhand High Court has rejected the bail plea of suspended IAS officer Vinay Chaubey in connection with the high-profile Sevayat land irregularities case in Hazaribagh.
Chaubey, who has been in judicial custody for nearly 11 months, suffered a major setback as the court pronounced its order on Tuesday after reserving judgment last week following detailed arguments from both sides.
Case Linked to Illegal Transfer of Sevayat Land
The case, registered as ACB Case No. 11/2025, pertains to alleged irregularities in the purchase and sale of Sevayat land, which is legally prohibited in Jharkhand.
Investigating agencies have accused Chaubey of playing a key role in facilitating illegal land transactions during his tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Hazaribagh.
According to officials, the transfers were carried out in violation of established rules and government provisions, raising serious questions about administrative oversight.
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Who is Vinay Chaubey?
Vinay Chaubey is a 1999-batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, originally from Bokaro Steel City.
- Born on October 27, 1975
- Engineering graduate in Computer Science from BITS Pilani
- Fluent in English and Hindi
- Known for holding key policymaking roles in the state
Key Positions Held
Over his career, Chaubey has served in several influential roles, including:
- Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Hemant Soren
- Secretary, Excise Department
- Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj Department
- Managing Director, Jharkhand State Beverage Corporation Limited
- Deputy Commissioner, Hazaribagh
His tenure as Deputy Commissioner is currently under scrutiny in the land scam investigation.
Multiple Cases and Ongoing Investigations
As of 2026, Chaubey is facing multiple legal challenges being probed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB):
Liquor Policy Scam (2022)
- Arrested in May 2025
- Alleged irregularities causing a loss of ₹38 crore to the state exchequer
- Recently granted bail by the Supreme Court of India in this case
Hazaribagh Land Scam
- Involves alleged illegal transfer of forest and Khasmahal land
- Bail plea earlier rejected in January 2026 as well
- Fresh plea now rejected again by the High Court
Disproportionate Assets Case
- Allegations of assets exceeding 50% of known income
- Probe extends to family members, including his wife
Legal Troubles Deepen
The rejection of bail in the land scam case means that Chaubey will continue to remain in judicial custody despite securing relief in the liquor policy case.
The case has drawn significant attention due to Chaubey’s seniority and his past role in key administrative positions within the state government.
Focus on Accountability
The developments highlight increasing scrutiny on bureaucratic decisions related to land and resource management.
With multiple investigations underway, the outcome of these cases is expected to have broader implications for administrative accountability and governance in Jharkhand.
