In its supplementary prosecution complaint, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) detailed what it described as “massive corruption” in the Chhattisgarh Excise Department between 2019 and 2023, which allegedly led to the generation of criminal proceeds worth about ₹2,883 crore.
The agency named 59 new defendants, bringing the total number of defendants in the case to 81.
According to the ED, its investigation uncovered a well-organized criminal syndicate that subverted the state’s liquor policy for personal gain through a multi-layered mechanism involving illegal kickbacks and sale of unregistered liquor.
The syndicate allegedly generated illegal earnings through four different channels. “Bribes were charged from suppliers of spirits on official sales, which was facilitated by an artificial increase in the ‘landing price’ paid by the state, effectively financing the bribes through the state treasury,” the agency said.
Another method involved a parallel system of selling “unbooked” country liquor through government stores using duplicate holograms and bottles purchased in cash, thereby evading excise and taxes. Annual bribes were also allegedly paid by distilleries to maintain market share and secure operating licenses in the state.
“A new category of license has been introduced to collect commissions from foreign liquor producers, with 60% of the profits transferred to the syndicate,” the agency said.
Alleging a deep-rooted conspiracy across the then state administrative and political hierarchy, the ED said the accused in the latest complaint include senior bureaucrats such as former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anil Tuteja, then joint secretary, and IAS officer Niranjan Das, then excise commissioner. They allegedly participated in the manipulation of politics and ensuring the smooth functioning of the syndicate.
Arun Pati Tripathi, an Indian Commercial Service officer and managing director of the Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited, was allegedly tasked with maximizing illegal collections and coordinating the sale of liquor in countries not commonly available.
“Besides, 30 local excise officials, including Janardan Kaurav and Iqbal Ahmed Khan, were accused of facilitating the sale of unregistered liquor in return for fixed commissions per case,” the ED said.
The political figures named in the case include “senior political figures, including then Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma and Chaitanya Baghel (son of the then Chief Minister)”, for their alleged role in granting policy approvals and obtaining or using proceeds of crime in business and real estate. Saumya Chaurasia, the then Deputy Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office, was reportedly identified as the key coordinator for dealing with illegal cash and managing the placement of compliant officers.
The syndicate was allegedly headed by Anwar Dhebar and his associate Arvind Singh. Private manufacturers, including Chhattisgarh Distilleries Limited, Bhatia Wine Merchants and Welcome Distilleries, were allegedly knowingly involved in illegal liquor production and commission payments.
“Intermediaries like Siddharth Singhania (cash withdrawal) and Vidhu Gupta (duplicate delivery of holograms) were also identified as key private actors in the said fraud,” the agency said.
The ED has so far arrested nine persons, including Anil Tutej, Arvind Singh, Trilok Singh Dhillon, Anwar Dhebar, Arun Pati Tripathi, Kawasi Lakhma, Chaitanya Baghel, Soumya Chaurasia and Niranjan Das.
The total attachment in the case currently stands at ₹ 382.32 crore. “These attachments include 1,041 properties linked to bureaucrats, politicians and private entities such as Hotel Vennington Court in Raipur and hundreds of assets belonging to the Dhebar and Baghel families,” the agency said.
The ED has also attached properties worth ₹68.16 crore belonging to Chhattisgarh Distilleries, Bhatia Wine Merchants and Welcome Distilleries, taking the cumulative attachment against the three distilleries to ₹96.55 crore.
The agency alleged that the syndicate increased the “landing rates”, or purchase prices paid by the government to these distilleries. In return, the distilleries allegedly paid illegal commissions ranging from ₹75 to ₹125 per case.
Between April 2019 and June 2022, around 60,50,950 cases of “off-book” liquor were allegedly supplied to the syndicate.
The ED also attached assets worth about ₹38.21 crore belonging to Niranjan Das and 30 other excise officials.
The investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act is based on a first information report registered by the Raipur Anti-Corruption Department.
Published – 30 Dec 2025 19:52 IST
