RAIPUR: Stepping up action in the alleged liquor scam, economic offences wing (EOW) on Wednesday arrested in Bihar former excise department special secretary Arun Pati Tripathi, an Indian Telecom Service officer on deputation to Chhattisgarh govt. He is being brought to Raipur, officials said. Tripathi, who was managing director of state marketing corporation, was granted bail just two months ago after Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested him in the Rs 2,000-crore liquor scam.
Four days ago, SC had quashed an ED case against ex-IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son in the alleged scam. SC held that the offences they were charged with do not fall in the schedule of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and, therefore, there cannot be any “proceeds of crime” as defined by the Act.
On April 5, EOW had arrested businessman Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar, and Arvind Singh in the case. Like Tripathi, they were arrested soon after getting bail following arrest by ED. They are now in custody of anti-corruption bureau for further questioning.
During the previous Congress govt, Enforcement Directorate claimed to have unearthed the liquor scam and arrested officers and businessmen under PMLA.
Later, based on ED complaint, EOW had registered an FIR naming 70 people, including politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen.
21 premises searched in four districts: Chhattisgarh’s anti-corruption bureau and EOW conducted searches at 21 premises in state in connection with the alleged liquor scam unearthed during the previous Congress government in the state.
The search covered nine locations in Raipur district, seven in Durg, four in Bilaspur and one in Rajnandgaon, an official statement said. “In the searches, Rs 19 lakh cash, electronic equipment including laptops, pen drives, bank statements, documents related to movable and immovable assets, jewellery worth crores, and documents on investments worth crore were seized,” the statement read. The action covered premises of businessmen, including those dealing in liquor, sources said.
(With agency inputs)
Four days ago, SC had quashed an ED case against ex-IAS officer Anil Tuteja and his son in the alleged scam. SC held that the offences they were charged with do not fall in the schedule of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and, therefore, there cannot be any “proceeds of crime” as defined by the Act.
On April 5, EOW had arrested businessman Anwar Dhebar, brother of Raipur mayor Aijaz Dhebar, and Arvind Singh in the case. Like Tripathi, they were arrested soon after getting bail following arrest by ED. They are now in custody of anti-corruption bureau for further questioning.
During the previous Congress govt, Enforcement Directorate claimed to have unearthed the liquor scam and arrested officers and businessmen under PMLA.
Later, based on ED complaint, EOW had registered an FIR naming 70 people, including politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen.
21 premises searched in four districts: Chhattisgarh’s anti-corruption bureau and EOW conducted searches at 21 premises in state in connection with the alleged liquor scam unearthed during the previous Congress government in the state.
The search covered nine locations in Raipur district, seven in Durg, four in Bilaspur and one in Rajnandgaon, an official statement said. “In the searches, Rs 19 lakh cash, electronic equipment including laptops, pen drives, bank statements, documents related to movable and immovable assets, jewellery worth crores, and documents on investments worth crore were seized,” the statement read. The action covered premises of businessmen, including those dealing in liquor, sources said.
(With agency inputs)