Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam: Supreme Court Grants Bail to Key Accused-This blog post delves into the recent Supreme Court decision granting bail to Anwar Dhebar and Arvind Singh, two prominent figures implicated in Chhattisgarh’s high-profile liquor scam. We’ll explore the legal arguments, the ongoing investigation, and the broader implications of this case.
The Bail Decision: A Detailed Look-The Supreme Court, in a significant ruling, granted bail to Anwar Dhebar and Arvind Singh, key accused in the money laundering case linked to the Chhattisgarh liquor scam. Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujwal Bhuyan presided over the case. The court considered the substantial time Dhebar had already spent in custody (80 days in a previous case, plus significant time in this one), coupled with the ongoing investigation and lack of a trial date. The court reasoned that with three supplementary complaints filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and approximately 40 witnesses, yet no trial in sight, continued pre-trial detention was unjustified.
Arvind Singh’s Bail Conditions-Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Arvind Singh appeared before the ED’s special court. He was granted bail on a personal bond of ₹1 lakh, with the condition that his passport be surrendered to the ED. He’s also required to appear at the ED office every 15 days and fully cooperate with the investigation. It’s important to note that he remains in jail on a separate FIR filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW).
The Court’s Reasoning: A Case for Bail-The Supreme Court cited the maximum sentence for the offense (7 years) and referenced the *Senthil Balaji v. Deputy Director* case to justify its decision. The court deemed the offense bailable and emphasized that delays in trials cannot be ignored. The court’s decision highlights the principle that prolonged pre-trial detention without a clear path to trial is unacceptable.
ACB’s Major Raid and the Role of Ex-Minister Kawasi Lakhma-On May 17, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted simultaneous raids at 13 locations across five districts in Chhattisgarh. This action followed suspicions surrounding the role of former Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma. The ACB alleges that Lakhma, in collusion with a liquor syndicate, enriched himself and his associates. The raids yielded ₹19 lakh in cash, documents, electronic devices, and land records, all currently under analysis.
ED’s Investigation and the Scale of the Scam-The ED’s investigation, which began with raids on Lakhma and his son’s properties in December 2024, led to Lakhma’s arrest in January 2025. A 3773-page charge sheet details Lakhma’s alleged role as the syndicate’s head in a ₹2161 crore liquor scam. This charge sheet reveals the depth and complexity of the criminal network involved.
Understanding the Chhattisgarh Liquor Scam-The ED’s charge sheet alleges that Lakhma manipulated the state’s liquor policy to gain control of the system, benefiting himself and his associates. The scam involved a syndicate operating within the excise department, where officials allegedly sought higher-ups’ permission before inspecting shops, fostering corruption.
The Expanding List of Accused-The ED has named 21 individuals as accused in this scam, including Lakhma, Dhebar, and others. The ongoing investigation suggests that more high-profile names may emerge in the coming days.