Indore/Bhopal, 11 December (Daily Kiran) – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has submitted a charge sheet in a special court in Indore in connection with a money laundering case linked to a liquor scam initially worth Rs 49 crore. The investigation has now revealed irregularities amounting to Rs 71 crore. So far, the ED has attached properties worth Rs 70 crore in this case, according to a press release issued by the agency on Thursday.
The ED stated that the probe began on the basis of an FIR filed at Raoji police station, Indore, against liquor contractors accused of causing loss to government revenue. The contractors are alleged to have committed fraud and tampering in government challans. The investigation also uncovered collusion between some officials and the contractors. While departmental inquiries into the officials are ongoing, the ED has not named any official as an accused at this stage.
The PMLA investigation by the ED revealed that liquor contractors Raju Dashvant, Ansh Trivedi, and others were involved in forgery and cheating. They face charges of criminal conspiracy. Earlier, the ED had arrested the main accused Raju Dashvant and Ansh Trivedi, who remain in custody.
It is notable that the scam dates back around eight years when the excise department filed an FIR against 14 individuals for fraud at Raoji Bazaar police station. Some officials were suspended at that time, but departmental investigations progressed slowly and many were later reinstated.
The ED has attached properties worth Rs 70 crore located in Indore, Mandsaur, and Khargone following its probe into the Rs 49 crore excise fake challan scam. During the investigation, the ED issued provisional attachment orders, seizing 28 immovable properties valued at Rs 21.18 crore initially. The current market value of these properties exceeds Rs 70 crore. The investigation continues.
How the Scam Unfolded
Between 2015 and 2018, 194 fake challans were used at the Indore district excise office to withdraw liquor from warehouses. Thousands of small-value challans were deposited in banks, but the amounts were later inflated to lakhs, allowing excess liquor to be taken and sold in shops. Following complaints, the ED launched an investigation in 2024. The agency sought key documents from the excise department and police, including bank account details of liquor contractors and internal inquiry reports. Subsequently, the ED conducted raids at 18 locations linked to liquor traders in Indore.
(Daily Kiran) Tomar
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