Jamshedpur : In a major development linked to the Jharkhand liquor policy case, several high-profile individuals have been taken into custody. Former General Manager (Operations and Finance) of Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited (JSBCL), Sudhir Kumar Das—who now serves as GM (Finance)—and Neeraj Kumar Singh, a representative of Marshan Company, were recently arrested. Their arrests follow the earlier detention of IAS officer Vinay Choubey and Gajendra Singh on May 20. All five accused were produced before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) special court and have been remanded to judicial custody until June 3.
Background of the Controversy
The roots of the case trace back to late 2021, when discussions among liquor vendors in Jharkhand hinted at the introduction of a revamped liquor policy for 2022–23. Allegations suggest that the policy was heavily influenced by a liquor syndicate operating out of Chhattisgarh.
In a controversial move, the Jharkhand Excise Department brought in Chhattisgarh State Marketing Limited (CSML) as a consultant to help enhance state liquor revenues. A consultancy fee of ₹1.25 crore was sanctioned for Arunpati Tripathi to assist in drafting the new excise framework.
Once the policy was formulated, it was submitted to the Revenue Board for evaluation. At that time, Amrendra Prasad Singh, a board member, raised serious objections. He recommended multiple amendments, pointing out that CSML—the very firm tasked with improving Jharkhand’s liquor revenue—had failed to deliver results even in its home state of Chhattisgarh.
The investigation continues as authorities dig deeper into the alleged nexus of bureaucrats, consultants, and corporate representatives behind the policy overhaul.
