Babulal Marandi demands CBI probe in liquor scam

Mail News Service

Ranchi: Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi has written to Chief Minister Hemant Soren, alleging that the ongoing investigation and arrests in the liquor scam were nothing more than an eyewash to mislead the public, shield the main conspirators, and extract money through blackmail.

Marandi said his suspicion was now proving true as the state government had failed to file a charge sheet within three months, leading to accused persons being granted bail one after another. He criticized the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for initially showing urgency by arresting a senior officer but later losing momentum.

He further alleged that the interrogation of high-ranking officials and influential accused had not been properly recorded, allowing investigating officers to manipulate statements as per their convenience.

Raising serious concerns, Marandi questioned whether the delay in filing the charge sheet and the alleged “big deal” behind it had the Chief Minister’s consent. “If this is happening with your knowledge, then only God knows the extent of the conspiracy. But if not, you must act against the guilty officers immediately,” he wrote.

Marandi recalled that he had repeatedly warned the CM about flaws in the liquor policy, but no action was taken. He claimed that the entire game was aimed at protecting liquor mafias stretching from Jharkhand and Raipur to Delhi, allegedly linked with the Chhattisgarh liquor syndicate.

He also pointed out that since Hemant Soren himself held the ACB portfolio, he could not plead ignorance. “You should take cognizance of who struck deals to delay the charge sheet, enabling big accused to secure bail, and who benefitted from it,” Marandi said.

Reiterating his demand, the Opposition leader urged the CM to end the “pretentious probe” and order a CBI investigation into the entire liquor scam so that the real culprits, along with those who manipulated the case for money and bail, could be exposed and punished.