New Delhi. Taking major action in the famous liquor scam case during the tenure of the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, 22 of the 29 officers of the Excise Department have suspended 22 officers with immediate effect. 6 officers have already retired, while 1 has died. After the formation of the BJP government, the Economic Offenses Investigation Bureau (EOD) is investigating the matter. Eodalbuwu had presented a 2300 -page invoices against 29 officers in a special court, which was accepted by the court. These officials are alleged to have made illegal recovery of about 90 crore rupees while being posted in various districts between 2019 and 2023.
According to the Central Investigation Agency (ED), this scam was worth 2161 crores, but now the EOW investigation has revealed that there has been a scam of 3200 crores more than that. The 22 officers who have been suspended include 5 Deputy Commissioners, 5 Assistant and District Excise Officer and 12 Assistant Commissioners. According to the investigation, the accused officers openly helped those who run the Licker Syndicate and took a very big bribe from them in return. In this way, these officials caused great economic loss to the revenue of the state.
Former State Excise Minister Kavasi Lakhma is lodged in Raipur jail in this case. He is accused of taking 2 crore rupees as protection money from liquor mafia every month. ED has also conducted an ED raids at the homes of former CM Bhupesh Baghel and his close ones. The ED alleges that the scam was carried out by creating a syndicate. The scam was done by leaders, officers of the excise department and liquor traders. Syndicate changed the excise policy to earn a hefty amount in the commission.
