Chhattisgarh's High-Stakes Liquor Scandal: Excise Commissioner Niranjan Das Arrested in ED Crackdown

In a significant escalation of the ongoing investigation into Chhattisgarh's notorious liquor scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Niranjan Das, the state's Excise Commissioner. This high-profile detention marks a pivotal moment in the probe that has uncovered an alleged nexus of corruption, money laundering, and systematic siphoning of state revenues from liquor sales.

Das's arrest comes after extensive interrogation and the collection of crucial evidence by the ED, which has been meticulously peeling back the layers of a sophisticated scheme.

Investigators allege that a parallel system was established within the state's excise department, designed to manipulate liquor sales, impose illicit commissions, and divert substantial funds, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees, into an illegal network.

The Enforcement Directorate's investigation paints a grim picture of how public funds were allegedly plundered.

It is believed that a syndicate, including senior government officials, liquor contractors, and politically influential individuals, orchestrated this elaborate fraud. They are accused of controlling the entire liquor trade, from procurement to sale, ensuring that a significant portion of the profits bypassed the state exchequer and landed in private pockets.

Previously, the ED had arrested several key figures in connection with this scandal, including Anwar Dhebar, a prominent businessman and alleged kingpin of the syndicate.

His arrest, along with others, had shed light on the intricate mechanisms used to generate and launder illicit funds. The agency has conducted multiple raids across Chhattisgarh and other states, seizing documents, digital evidence, and assets linked to the alleged scam.

The arrest of the Excise Commissioner is particularly impactful as it directly implicates an official at the helm of the department responsible for regulating liquor sales.

This development underscores the ED's resolve to pursue the investigation to its highest echelons, aiming to dismantle the entire network and bring all culprits to justice, regardless of their position or influence.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the Chhattisgarh liquor scam continues to send shockwaves through the state's administrative and political circles.

The investigation promises further revelations, highlighting the persistent challenges of corruption and the critical need for transparency and accountability in governance.