Pioneer News Service
Ranchi
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has intensified its investigation into the alleged irregularities in Jharkhand’s excise policy, liquor supply system, and the functioning of the Jharkhand State Beverages Corporation Limited (JSBCL). The Bureau is conducting a comprehensive probe into suspected financial and administrative lapses linked to the state’s liquor management system.
According to the ACB, questioning of key officials and other individuals connected with the case is underway as part of the ongoing investigation. Investigators are cross-verifying statements recorded earlier with documentary evidence and other available records. Officials said that wherever discrepancies or the need for clarification emerge, the concerned individuals are being summoned again for further examination.
As part of the investigation, the ACB has issued summons to three former senior officials, directing them to appear before the Bureau on August 4, 2026. Those summoned include Gajendra Singh, the then Joint Commissioner of the Excise Department; Sudhir Kumar Das, the then General Manager (Finance) of JSBCL; and Amit Prakash, the then Excise Commissioner.
The Bureau said the officials would be questioned on the basis of their earlier statements and the documents collected during the investigation, with investigators seeking clarifications wherever necessary.
The ACB is examining every aspect of the tendering process related to the liquor supply system. The probe includes scrutiny of the tender conditions, subsequent modifications, the role of officials and institutions involved in framing and implementing the process, as well as the participation and selection of bidding companies.
Investigators are also reviewing bank guarantees, payments, revenue collection, and other financial obligations associated with the liquor distribution system. The Bureau is assessing whether procedural deficiencies or irregularities resulted in any loss to the state exchequer.
In addition, the investigation covers liquor supply operations, stock management at retail outlets, cash collection, bank deposits, auditing procedures, and revenue recovery mechanisms. Records of official meetings, policy directions issued by the authorities, and their implementation are also being examined as part of the inquiry.
The ACB stated that statements recorded during the investigation are being matched with official correspondence, tender documents, minutes of meetings, financial records, and other available evidence. Wherever further verification or clarification is considered necessary, the concerned individuals are being called again for questioning.
Emphasising the integrity of the investigation, the Bureau said the probe is being conducted in a fair, impartial, and evidence-based manner. It clarified that no conclusions regarding the role of any individual would be drawn until all documents, statements, and other material evidence are comprehensively examined. The ACB said its objective is to independently investigate every aspect of the case, establish the facts, and ensure the credibility and transparency of the investigation.
