ED Raids 11 Locations of Liquor Contractors in MP After PMO Complaint

ED has started this action on the basis of FIR registered against liquor contractors. It is alleged that the contractors caused a loss of Rs 49 crore 42 lakh 45 thousand 615 to the government revenue by committing large-scale forgery and manipulation in treasury challans. Apart from this, No Objection Certificates (NOC) were also obtained illegally for liquor acquisition between the years 2015-16 to 2017-18.

Investigation has revealed that the accused contractors used to make treasury challans of small amounts and deposit them in the bank. While the amount was filled in the format of the challan in 'rupees in figures', a blank space was left after writing 'rupees in words'. Later, after depositing, large amounts like lakhs and crores of rupees were added and written in the same blank space. Copies of these fake challans were deposited in country liquor warehouses or foreign liquor warehouses. In this way, crores of rupees were defrauded from the government treasury by showing less amount of actual deposit.

Allegation of collusion of officials

ED investigation has also revealed that the role of the then Excise Commissioner Sanjeev Dubey (who is now working as Jabalpur Excise Commissioner under the name of Sanjay Dubey) has also been found suspicious in this scam. He is accused of causing a loss of about Rs 71 crore in revenue by colluding with liquor traders. ED teams have collected documentary evidence at the hideouts of many liquor traders during the raid. Search action has also been taken on the premises of the liquor traders whose names have surfaced in this case.

Investigation continues, big revelations expected

According to sources, a thorough investigation of the seized documents and digital records is being done. After the initial investigation, ED can also take action against other officials and businessmen involved in this scam. It is believed that the scope of this scam may be even bigger.