The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested former IAS officer Anil Tuteja in connection with a liquor scam case in Chhattisgarh.

In a recent development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified and named 70 individuals accused of being involved in a corruption scandal amounting to Rs. 2,000 crore. Among these accused are Anil Tuteja, his son Yash Tuteja, various Congress leaders, government officials, and business figures.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken into custody retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Anil Tuteja in connection with a new investigation into suspected corruption within the liquor industry in Chhattisgarh. This action was confirmed by sources familiar with the matter on Sunday.

Tuteja and his son, Yash, were summoned for interrogation to the Raipur office of the agency on Saturday evening. An unnamed official stated that the ex-IAS officer has been detained under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

This decision by the Supreme Court on April 8 set a significant precedent regarding PMLA proceedings in the alleged liquor scam case involving Tuteja and others.

In a landmark ruling, the court quashed the proceedings citing the lack of an established predicate offence.The bench emphasized that without a scheduled offence,the existence of proceeds of crime cannot be proven.

Therefore, the court concluded that the offense under Section 3 of PMLA was not made out in this case.This ruling clarifies the legal standard for prosecuting such cases and underscores the importance of establishing a clear link between the alleged crime and the provisions of the PMLA.

A day after being reported exclusively by HT, The (ED) has filed a new case based on a First Information Report (FIR) from Chhattisgarh police regarding alleged corruption amounting to Rs. 2,000 crore. This new case allows for a fresh investigation into the charges.

The ED has included all 70 individuals accused by the police, such as Anil Tuteja, his son Yash Tuteja, various Congress leaders, bureaucrats, and businessmen.

The police FIR was lodged about a month after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) replaced the Congress in the state government following assembly elections. It’s worth noting that the Chhattisgarh Police initiated action based on a detailed probe report provided by the ED post the elections.

Controversy in Chhattisgarh’s liquor industry over corruption allegations led to investigations by the Enforcement Directorate.State officials were accused of taking bribes from distillers.The political blame game ensued between Congress and BJP governments.After a change in power,new FIR implicated key figures and estimated proceeds of crime worth Rs. 2,161 crore.

In a recent development, the Supreme Court quashed the Enforcement Directorate’s charge sheet alleging that Rs.776 crore from a liquor scam in Chhattisgarh went to “political executives.” Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel criticized the Modi government for misusing investigative agencies for political gains. The ruling exposed BJP’s attempt to defame Congress before the elections.

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