The EOW will interrogate Anwar Dhebar and KK Srivastava.

Raipur. The scope of investigation in Chhattisgarh’s much-discussed liquor scam case is continuously expanding. The legal troubles of Anwar Dhebar and KK Srivastava, who are already in jail, may increase further. After the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has also become active. According to reports, the investigating agency has filed a petition in court for a production warrant to question both of them, raising the possibility of new revelations in the case in the coming days.

During the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, from 2019 to 2023, the liquor policy was changed, leading to a liquor scam through favored suppliers. The license conditions were designed to benefit specific companies. These companies then manufactured fake holograms and seals. This work was done by a company in Noida. Subsequently, expensive bottles of liquor with fake holograms were sold through government shops. Since the holograms were fake, the government did not receive information about the sales, and liquor was sold without paying excise tax. In this way, the government was defrauded of Rs 2165 crore in taxes. This money was distributed among various individuals, from those involved in building the Congress party headquarters to leaders, officials, and ministers.

So far, former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma, former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s son Chaitanya Baghel, former IAS officer Anil Tuteja, and Anwar Dhebar, brother of Ejaz Dhebar, have been arrested in the liquor scam case. In addition, 28 excise officers from the Excise Department were also named as accused, but they have been granted bail by the Supreme Court.