Ranchi: The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has ramped up its investigation into Jharkhand’s high-profile liquor scam. The agency is now tightening the net around senior IAS officer and former Excise Secretary, Manoj Kumar, after discovering assets that exceed his known sources of income.
The Noida Property Link
During the investigation, ACB officials uncovered a sprawling 4,000 sq ft flat in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, registered in Manoj Kumar’s name. Interestingly, Kumar purchased this property while serving as the Secretary of the Excise and Prohibition Department.
Investigators suspect that the officer acquired the flat using funds allegedly collected through illegal levies linked to the state’s liquor syndicate. Currently, the bureau is scrutinising:
- Property registration documents.
- Detailed financial transaction records.
- Bank statements to trace the exact source of funds.
Fresh FIR on the Horizon
Sources indicate that the ACB may soon register a fresh FIR against Manoj Kumar under a Disproportionate Assets (DA) case. While the bureau had previously summoned and questioned him regarding the liquor scam, this new discovery of high-value real estate has shifted the focus toward his personal wealth.
Background: The Crackdown Continues
The ACB’s broader crackdown on corruption within the Excise Department has already led to several high-profile arrests.
Under Case No. 09/2025, registered on May 20, the agency previously arrested:
- Vinay Kumar Choubey: Former Excise Secretary.
- Neeraj Kumar Singh: A representative of a prominent placement agency.
As the ACB digs deeper into the financial trails of the liquor syndicate, officials expect further developments and potentially more arrests in the coming days.
