Ranchi: In a major development in the ongoing investigation into the Jharkhand liquor scam, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has arrested former Excise Commissioner Amit Prakash on Tuesday. His arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the high-profile case, which has already seen the detention of several senior officials.
Soon after his arrest, Amit Prakash was taken to the ACB headquarters, where he is currently being interrogated. According to ACB sources, he is among six individuals taken into custody in connection with the scam, which also includes senior bureaucrat Vinay Choubey.
The case revolves around serious irregularities in the execution of the state’s liquor policy. During the initial stages of investigation, the vigilance department had summoned Amit Prakash, who retired from the Excise Commissioner’s post in December 2024, for questioning. He is accused of unlawfully releasing Rs 12 crore in dues to a liquor wholesaler named Om Sai, despite a stay order.
As per official records, two companies—Om Sai and Dishita Venture—were assigned the wholesale liquor supply under the revamped liquor policy introduced by the state government. However, allegations of irregularities soon surfaced against Om Sai, prompting the government to halt payments to the firm. In defiance of this, Amit Prakash is alleged to have cleared payments amounting to Rs 12 crore before his retirement, raising serious questions over procedural violations and favoritism.
Background of the Scam
The roots of the scam date back to late 2021 when speculation was rife that Jharkhand’s new liquor policy, set to roll out in 2022-23, would be influenced by a Chhattisgarh liquor syndicate. To restructure the system and boost state revenue, the Excise Department roped in Chhattisgarh State Marketing Corporation Limited (CSML) as consultants.
The consultancy fee for CSML’s Arunpati Tripathi was fixed at Rs 1.25 crore, a decision that raised eyebrows. After drafting the new liquor policy, it was submitted to the Revenue Council for approval. However, then-member Amarendra Prasad Singh objected to multiple provisions, questioning the efficacy and intent behind appointing a firm that struggled to manage liquor revenues even in its home state.
The scam has since widened, and the arrests—including that of Amit Prakash—indicate that the probe is inching closer to uncovering deeper layers of corruption and political nexus behind the liquor trade in Jharkhand.
