Supreme Court slams ED, warns against fear tactics in liquor irregularities case
New Delhi, May 17: The Supreme Court delivered a directive to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), cautioning them against creating an atmosphere of fear.
The court's response came after the Chhattisgarh Government raised concerns regarding several state excise department officials alleging threats and attempts to implicate Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in a liquor irregularities case.
During the hearing of an application filed by the Chhattisgarh Government, seeking to be impleaded as a party in ongoing petitions, the bench of Justices S K Kaul and A Amanullah addressed the issue. The government, represented by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, highlighted the excise officers' accusations of being threatened by the Enforcement Directorate, describing the situation as shocking.
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However, the Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the Enforcement Directorate, refuted the allegations, stating that the agency was conducting an investigation into the liquor irregularities.
The court emphasized the need for the Enforcement Directorate to avoid creating an environment of fear among the excise officials. It further noted that such behavior raises suspicions about the genuineness of the cause.
The Chhattisgarh Government had filed an application for impleadment in the petitions challenging the Enforcement Directorate's probe against certain individuals. The probe pertains to a liquor scam that occurred between 2019 and 2022, involving corruption in various forms. The investigation revealed that bribes were collected from distillers by the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSMCL) for each case of liquor procured.
According to the Enforcement Directorate's findings, Arun Pati Tripathi, at the insistence of Anwar Dhebar, manipulated the entire liquor system in Chhattisgarh to maximize corruption within the department. Policy changes were made in conspiracy with colleagues, and tenders were awarded to associates of Anwar Dhebar, resulting in substantial benefits.
Tripathi, despite being a senior ITS Officer and MD of CSMCL, deviated from the proper functioning of any State Excise Department by using state-run shops to sell unaccounted kacha liquor. His actions caused significant losses to the state exchequer, while benefiting the Liquor Syndicate with over ₹2000 Crore in illegal proceeds of crime. He also received a substantial share in this illicit gain.
The Enforcement Directorate conducted search operations in Raipur, Bhilai, and Mumbai, leading to the discovery of 53 acres of land in Naya Raipur, valued at ₹21.60 crore, acquired by Anwar Dhebar using proceeds of crime. Cash amounting to Rs 20 lakh and incriminating documents were seized during the searches. In Mumbai, unaccounted investments worth around Rs 1 crore were found, and the same have been frozen under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Previously, the Enforcement Directorate had frozen Fixed Deposits worth Rs 27.5 crore belonging to Trilok Singh Dhillon and seized jewelry worth Rs 28 crore from the house of a Country Liquor Distiller.
Last month, the Chhattisgarh Government filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutional validity of certain provisions of the PMLA and alleged misuse of investigating agencies against non-BJP governments in the state.
- With inputs from agencies
